Chicken Breast Recipes

How do I keep chicken breasts from drying out?

Cooking juicy, tender chicken breasts involves a two-step process. First, proper preparation before cooking is crucial. Second, by adopting careful cooking techniques and paying attention to temperature, you can ensure your chicken breasts are juicy and flavorful rather than dry and tough.

1. Preparation - Brine the chicken. Brining involves soaking chicken breasts in a salt water solution before cooking. The salt not only seasons the chicken but also tenderizes it by breaking down muscle fibers, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat as the brine fills the gaps with moisture.
2. Cooking - Covering the baking pan, grill, or sauté pan with a lid during cooking helps to seal in moisture. It's important to use medium heat to prevent the chicken from drying out. Additionally, overcooking is a common cause of dry chicken breasts, so cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
3. Let it rest - Allow cooked chicken breasts to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, enhancing its juiciness. Slicing the breast immediately while it's still hot can cause the juices to escape, resulting in dry chicken.

What are some healthy ways to cook chicken breasts?

• Grilling: Grilling chicken breasts over medium heat can add a smoky flavor without excessive oil. Marinade or brine the breast beforehand to keep it moist. Refer to the grilled chicken thighs for seasoning ideas.
• Baking: Rub the chicken with your favorite seasoning blend and olive oil, then bake in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through. The olive oil helps seal in moisture, ensuring tender and juicy chicken breasts.
• Steaming: Steaming is a low-fat cooking method that preserves both nutrients and keeps the meat juicy.
• Stir-frying: Stir-frying cubed chicken with vegetables and flavorful Asian sauces is a quick yet delicious way to cook the meat, infusing it with rich flavors.
• Air-Frying: The air fryer is an excellent method for cooking chicken while keeping it flavorful and moist. You can use the teriyaki chicken marinade from the air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe to prepare air-fried teriyaki chicken breasts, or swap the thighs with breasts for air fryer chicken tacos.
• Instant pot: Pressure cooking is one of age old techniques that is adopted in several parts of the world to cook moist and soft chicken. Refer to this popular method from Tastesbetterfromscratch for cooking fool proof breasts in your instant pot.