Chances are, you have been scouring the internet for ways to cook this protein-rich ingredient found in your pantry. Chicken is a lean meat that is considered healthy, and it can be prepared in various ways, such as roasting, poaching, or grilling. By simply changing the cooking method, a chicken breast or fillet can be transformed into a variety of mouth-watering dishes.
While some methods require more time and ingredients, like popcorn chicken or fried chicken, which need an appropriate coating for the chicken to taste well, others, like grilled chicken, need just a little marination and the chicken is ready in a jiffy. Here are some ways to make it at home and never get bored of your favourite meat.
1. Braised Chicken
This is a great way to get fully cooked chicken without much effort. You just need to follow two important cooking steps, and it will be ready in no time. Braising is a method of cooking meat in a liquid like a broth. After the chicken has been simmered in this liquid, you can cook it on the stovetop or in the oven later. The braised chicken is best cooked with bone meat.
2. Grilled Chicken
Grilling is a quick and healthy way to cook chicken and various other kinds of meat. Coat the chicken in a marinade of spices (ginger, garlic, lemon, etc.), and cook the chicken breast whole or cut it into smaller pieces to be placed on skewers and grilled. The char grill marks that are achieved not only add to the appearance of the grilled chicken but also to its great taste.
3. Smoked Chicken
This method of cooking chicken is an additional step to grilling it. Apart from grilling your chicken, you can use a smoker and give the chicken a smoky flavour by cooking it on low, indirect heat. The smoky flavours work well for tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Before smoking the chicken, brining it is essential to bring out the best flavours.
4. Poached Chicken
This one may be slightly different and an easier hack for cooking chicken, but it is definitely worth a shot. For the health freaks who want their dose of protein in a healthy form, poached chicken is a good idea. For this, you need to cook the chicken in a liquid, which is generally water. The water should be cold to ensure that the chicken cooks slowly and doesn’t get undercooked or overcooked. The silky and smooth texture of the chicken is ensured depending on the ratio of chicken to water. Then you can add it to salads, stews, and more.
5. Fried Chicken
Who can say no to a hot and juicy chicken with a crusty coating? The idea of fried chicken is not uncommon. For this, all you need to do is prepare a thick batter for coating and then dip your chicken wings and legs in it. Deep-fry them in hot oil until golden brown and take them out once they are crispy on all sides. This can be stuffed in a sandwich or eaten alone with a dip.