If you generally cook with boneless chicken, you know how convenient it is, but you also might run into one of its biggest problems. Chicken without bones all too often becomes dry and tough; making you feel like every bite has to be washed down. Fortunately, you do not have to put up with dry chicken. There are plenty of things you can do about it, including some methods used by professional chefs. Here is how to make moist, delicious chicken every time.
Overcooking May Be The Culprit
The biggest and most common reason that most people find their chicken is getting dry is that they are overcooking it. Boneless chicken often requires less cooking than many other forms of this meat, but you cannot just cut the cooking time to get a good dish. Other parts of your meal may be undercooked, or you may end up with meat that is not done in the middle. The good news is that you have another option.
Add Moisture Before Cooking
If you take a little time beforehand and let your boneless chicken pieces soak up some extra moisture before you start cooking, it could make a huge difference. There are plenty of options for doing this and still getting a delicious meal that is tender and moist. One common one is brining. This method will let you get more moisture in so that evaporation does not result in tough meat.
If you would like to make brine, all you need is salt, water and the seasonings you would like to use. You may have to cut back on salt in other parts of the recipe, and you should make sure the overall effect is not too salty. There are lots of brine recipes available, however.
Marinating is an option for great chicken dishes without a lot of trouble, including some readymade marinades and use of products like vinaigrette and Italian salad dressing to add flavor and moisture. You can really use any flavorful mixture with a little acid to create a good marinade, so be willing to experiment or look up recipes.
Proper baking will keep boneless chicken from drying out. Something as simple as a cover on the pan, or some water or other liquid such as red wine in the bottom will do wonders for the moisture in your meals. You can add sauces or liquids on top of the chicken to keep the surface from getting too dry, too.
Salsa, marinara, white sauce, and others are all popular choices. Be creative to get a baked boneless chicken breast recipe that will make your mouth water. Consider changing the heat and cooking time, as well. Most baked chicken recipes should be cooked around 350 degrees for about twenty minutes.
Take some time to consider ways to add moisture to your meat, and your cooking will improve. Boneless chicken is an extremely convenient meat, but it can be tricky to cook well. Learning to work with it can take your meals from edible to spectacular, with only a little effort. There are lots of great options out there, so take the time to find out more.
Looking for great chicken recipes try the site dedicated to chicken recipes BonelessChickenRecipe.com