Are you tempted to try your hand at cooking chicken at home? It’s easy, but you must know how to do it correctly. Otherwise, you could find a raw piece of chicken that’s spoiled, inedible, and unsafe to eat.
It’s essential to do your research first to see the do’s and don’ts of cooking chicken before you try your hand at it. You’re sure to succeed once you know everything you need to know. Keep reading for the top tips on what you should and shouldn’t do when cooking breast chicken at home.
The Do’s
When cooking chicken, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure you cook it correctly and safely. Here they are:
Handle Chicken With Care
Always ensure your kitchen is clean and sanitary, and wash your hands with hot soapy water before and after handling chicken. Remember to wash cutting boards, utensils, and other surfaces that have come into contact with chicken, and be sure to clean up any spills immediately. Remember to buy from reputable sellers only, like this frozen chicken supplier.
Cook Chicken to the Correct Internal Temperature
The internal temperature must reach 165°F (74°C) to cook poultry safely. Please don’t rely on the color or texture of the chicken to tell when it’s finished cooking. The only way to ensure you cook poultry is with a food thermometer. Take the temperature in the thigh’s innermost part and the breast’s thickest part.
Rest Chicken After Cooking
Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and ensures that the chicken will remain juicy and tender. However, it is crucial to avoid letting cooked chicken sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Doing so can cause bacteria to grow on the chicken, which can cause food poisoning if eaten.
The Don’ts
Don’t Rinse Raw Chicken
Don’t rinse the chicken under water before cooking. Rinsing raw poultry can spread bacteria around your kitchen by splattering contaminated liquid onto your sink, countertops, and other surfaces.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan or Grill
The chicken will not cook evenly when the pan or grill is crowded. It can lead to the chicken’s uneven texture, flavor, or color. As such, you should avoid it when cooking meat. You must place the chicken in a single layer to ensure it cooks properly.
Additionally, leave enough space around each piece of chicken when placed in the pan or on the grill to circulate the heat properly. It will help ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
Don’t Thaw Chicken at Room Temperature
You should thaw chicken in the refrigerator or cold water, and it should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent the growth of bacteria. When thawing in the refrigerator, place the food on a lower shelf in a shallow container. When melting in cold water, put the breast in a sealed plastic bag and submerge in water for an hour.
Cooking Chicken the Right Way
Overall, cooking chicken can be straightforward. You can enjoy delicious chicken dishes once you know the safety tips and cooking techniques.
Use the tips provided, and ensure you cook your chicken thoroughly. Try experimenting with different methods and spices to create other chicken recipes! Why not try and make your flavorsome chicken dish today?
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