Chicken is one of the most versatile meats to prepare. Whether you are learning how to cook or looking to try out something creative, there is always the right recipe for you. It is also a good choice of meat either if you are on a strict protein diet, or you want to cheat a little. Who can ever resist hot wings? Either you are eating alone or having a feast, chicken is always a good and delicious choice.
You might already have an idea how to cook the best chicken recipe in mind, but did you know the other ways to prepare it? In this article, you will learn the different methods of cooking chicken – how to truss a chicken, grill, instant pot, braise, rotisserie, bake, pan-fry, and broil!
Truss
Although trussing seems intimidating for kitchen beginners, it’s a simple process of tying up the legs of the chicken to ensure that it’s evenly cooked. Through trussing, you can make sure that the inside is well-cooked, tender, flavorful, and juicy.
A simple method on how to truss a chicken: place the chicken on a clean, dry surface, and place a three-feet kitchen twine underneath it. With the legs facing you, position the center of the twine on the tailbone. Wrap both ends of the twine, and pull tight until the legs touch each other. Wrap around the sides to the front, criss-cross the strings, make a knot, and cut the excess twine. Once the chicken is secure, you can pop it in the oven!
Grill
Perfect for a backyard cookout, grilled chicken is a summertime favorite. If you are still learning your way around the grill, chicken is the easiest way to go.
To grill, begin by pounding the chicken until it’s flat. Use the marinade you prefer, cover the bowl, and refrigerate. For best results, leave it marinated for at least three hours. Take it out of the fridge, season with salt and pepper, and break out the grill.
Brush the grill with cooking oil, and place the chicken. The grilling time varies, depending on what part of the chicken you’re using. Grill on medium-high heat. After 8-10 minutes, take it out of the grill, cover with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes. You can also roast potatoes and corn alongside it for a healthy, balanced diet!
Instant pot
Instant pot chicken is one of the easiest methods to cook dinner – it saves time and effort without sacrificing flavor and quality. It’s also easy to customize: put ingredients of choice into a pressure cooker, wait, and let it do its magic. Instant pot chicken easily brings the flavor of the ingredients together, and preparation takes less than 30 minutes!
To make instant pot chicken, prepare skinless chicken breast, season it with salt and pepper, and brush it with olive oil. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into your pressure cooker and put your seasoned chicken. Set the pressure cooker to high, and cook for 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast. Release the pressure for 5 minutes, rest for another 10 minutes, and enjoy.
Braise
Braising makes the toughest parts of chicken so tender that they will fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. The best part? It involves minimal effort.
To braise, start by searing the meat over high heat in a Dutch oven. Remove the meat from the pan when the skin is browned and caramelized. In the same pan, add onions, garlic, carrot, and celery. When the vegetables soften, you can add herbs of your choice. Add ¼ cup of water and return the chicken. Transfer to a Dutch oven to 375°F. Wait 45 minutes, and serve!
Rotisserie
Now that you know how to truss a chicken, the next step is learning how to cook it, rotisserie-style. When done right, a rotisserie chicken will taste way better in your kitchen than from the grocery store.
Marinade your chicken, and give it 3 hours to make sure your chicken turns out nice and juicy. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Take out the chicken and place it in a roasting pan, truss the chicken, and place it inside the oven.
Depending on the size of the chicken, it may take 90-120 minutes. To check if the chicken is cooked throughout, stick a thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. If it says 175 degrees Fahrenheit – you are good to go.
Take out the chicken from the oven, and let it rest for 15 minutes before you carve and serve!
Bake
Boneless, skinless baked chicken is one of the meals that you can prepare once and reheat for the following days. It’s also one of the healthiest recipes for chicken – brown, tender, juicy, with a side of vegetables.
To start, prepare your brine, and fully submerge your chicken in it for at least thirty minutes. Brining ensures that the inside of the chicken doesn’t dry out. After bringing, pat dry the chicken and season to taste. Place the chicken in a sheet pan and put it into a preheated oven. Cook at 475°F for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 165°F. Rest for 15 minutes, and enjoy with a side of baked potatoes, asparagus, or carrots!
Pan-fry
Cut down on oil and grease, and give the fried chicken a new taste by pan-frying! To pan-fry, start by cutting up your chicken into little pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and preparing the batter. Once your chicken pieces are battered up, heat your oiled pan to 375°F. Drop the chicken into the oil, cook until golden brown, and drip the excess oil. Serve after cooking to enjoy that crispy texture and juicy flavor!
Broil
If you are looking to try a creative way of preparing your favorite chicken recipe, you should try broiling your chicken. While your broiler pan is preheating, season your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika for extra spice. Brush the chicken pieces with olive oil, and pop them in the broiler after 8 minutes of pre-heating.
Cook for 15 minutes or until the bottom side is browning, then turn the chicken pieces. Cook for another 15 minutes. If you’ve prepared a sauce for your chicken, you can also opt to brush the chicken with the sauce five minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Chicken is one of the easiest meals to prepare, and it goes with just about anything. If you want to know more about cooking methods, food preparation, and new recipes, visit Recipes.net.
