Tender, juicy and flavorful – this is exactly how we like our chicken. Indian kitchens are mostly made up of vegetarian dishes and even a novice cook can master cooking dal or sabzi with lots of guidance and tips from older members and experience in the family. But when it comes to cooking chicken, many of us are helpless and unable to get it right. All our efforts fell apart when we received dry, rubbery, pale, undercooked or overcooked chicken. It was a real disappointment! If you are looking to step up your chicken cooking game, you have come to the right place.
This is a reality check for all those of you who have tried and tried but can’t get their chicken right. Here are some common mistakes most of us make when cooking chicken, and it’s time to fix them all.
9 common mistakes to avoid when cooking chicken
1. Buy frozen meat first
Moist chicken will be juicy when cooked. Frozen raw chicken is often dehydrated and gives us a dry dish that no one likes. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends looking for chicken that is labeled ‘fresh’ and not ‘frozen or previously frozen’.
(Read more: 5 common mistakes that can ruin our Indian curries)
Avoid using frozen chicken.
2. Skip the chicken with bones
For boneless pieces of chicken like thighs, which are high in fat, melt during cooking to retain moisture in the chicken while providing a better flavor. So don’t walk away and try to choose boneless chicken pieces rather than boneless ones.
3. Wash the chicken
Washing chickens before use seems to be a practical hygiene practice. The USDA, however, offered a different opinion. A USDA report states, “Raw poultry should not be washed before cooking because bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. This is known as Cross contamination Results of a recent USDA observational study show how easily bacteria can spread when surfaces are not cleaned and sanitized effectively after washing poultry. It doesn’t kill bacteria. Only cooking kills any bacteria that may be present on fresh chicken.”
4. Do not bake or marinate
Because of the rush, we often skip the important step of soaking or marinating the chicken. Boiling is the process of soaking chicken in salt water and a little sugar before cooking. This helps prevent overcooking and retains moisture. And if you want the chicken to have a rich flavor, pre-season it with some of the seasoning, curd, lime juice or other ingredients according to your recipe.
5. Do not pound meat
If you’re going to cook a whole chicken breast, you’ll first notice its thickness. Such cooking may result in overcooking the outside or overcooking the inside. It’s important to beat the chicken evenly with the help of a meat mallet/hammer to soften the chicken and ensure even cooking.
(Also Read: Cooking Mistakes That Make Your Food Unhealthy)
Chicken breasts are thick and difficult to cook.
6. Skin Loss
Everyone loves glazed caramel sauce over cooked chicken. For that, try to keep the skin of the chicken always shiny. In addition, the skin will help retain the moisture of the meat, making the chicken crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
7. Thaw the wrong way
Do you put frozen chicken on the shelf to defrost at room temperature? Stop now! The USDA states that only three methods should be used to defrost chicken — soak the chicken in cold water, microwave it, or put it in the refrigerator a night or a day before cooking. Keeping chicken out of room temperature can make it a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
8. Uneven chicken pieces
Make sure to cut the chicken into even pieces so they cook at the same time and you know when to remove the pan from the heat.
(Read more: 8 genius tips to cut back on salt added to curries)
9. Do not cover the pan
Cover the pan while the chicken is cooking. Steam will be retained and moisture to the meat so that the meat does not dry out from heat.
If you love to eat chicken, you should know how to make this dish perfectly. We hope you will stop making the mistakes listed above and enjoy a delicious meal every time.
