Buzz
Chicken is a commonly enjoyed meat that can be prepared using various spices. It is affordable, rich in nutrients, and can be cooked in many ways. With the right approach, you can create tasty chicken dishes by methods such as baking, pan-searing, or grilling.
Ingredients
Baked Chicken
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 chicken breasts, halved, skinless and boneless
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes
- 1 packet instant onion soup mix (28g)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Pan-Seared Chicken
- 1 can of non-stick spray
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tablespoon black pepper
- 0.5 kg fresh chicken thighs, skinless and boneless (around 8 pieces)
- 1 cup chicken broth (canned)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1½ tablespoons coriander seeds
Grilled Chicken
- 12 chicken thighs
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon bell pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon Egyptian dill
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh thyme, finely chopped
Steps
Preparing Chicken
If you're not ready to cook the chicken immediately, store it in the fridge or freezer right away. You can keep the chicken in the coldest part of the fridge for up to two days. If you plan to store it for longer, place the chicken in the freezer. Avoid prepping the chicken before refrigerating it as this could lead to bacterial contamination.
Wash the chicken thoroughly. Whether you're cooking a whole chicken, chicken thighs, or other parts, rinse them with cold water. If you purchase pre-seasoned chicken, it’s already been cleaned. It’s recommended to wear gloves when handling raw chicken to avoid bacterial contamination on your hands. Also, wash your hands thoroughly after handling the chicken.
- Make sure to clean any utensils, such as knives, cutting boards, and sinks, that have come into contact with raw chicken.
Pat the chicken dry. Use a clean paper towel to gently blot the chicken and remove excess moisture.
Cook the chicken. Once the chicken is washed and dried, you can begin cooking. Whether you're grilling, baking, or pan-searing the chicken, always use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached the proper temperature. The internal temperature should reach 74ºC before consumption. Here are some additional recipes for delicious chicken dishes:
- Chicken nuggets with crispy coating
- Chicken strips with crispy coating
- Boneless chicken breast steak
- Mole chicken
- Baked chicken breast
- Spiced fried chicken breast
- Teriyaki chicken
- Oven-baked chicken
- Sesame chicken
- Roast chicken
Quickly store chicken if you're not eating it right away. When freezing chicken, it's best to portion it into smaller amounts using foil or food-safe freezer paper. This allows for easy defrosting of only the amount you need. Additionally, properly packaging the chicken prevents freezer burn, which occurs when the meat dries out and oxidizes due to exposure to air.
- Fried chicken – keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, 4 months in the freezer
- Chicken stew – keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, 4 to 6 months in the freezer
- Unseasoned chicken pieces – keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, 4 months in the freezer
- Chicken in broth or sauce – keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer
- Breaded boneless chicken – keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge, 1 to 3 months in the freezer
Grilled Chicken
Place the chicken thighs into a large food storage bag.
Prepare the marinade. In a bowl, mix olive oil, sea salt, pepper, paprika, Egyptian cumin, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
Pour the marinade over the chicken thighs. Pour the marinade evenly into the bag with the chicken thighs and seal it. Before sealing, remove as much air from the bag as possible. Shake the bag to ensure the marinade coats the chicken evenly. Refrigerate the bag for about 1 hour, or overnight for a more flavorful result. Shake the bag every few hours to ensure the spices are well distributed.
Prepare the grill. Coat the grill with olive oil. Then, preheat the grill to a temperature of 175ºC.
Start grilling the chicken. Grill the chicken on both sides until they become crispy and turn a golden brown. While grilling, flip the chicken to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer the chicken to remain moist, place the chicken breast diagonally and wait until the edges turn white before flipping it to grill the other side. This technique will result in beautifully grilled lines, similar to what you see in advertisements.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 74ºC when fully cooked. After the chicken is done, plate it and let it cool for about 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your meal. The flavor of the grilled chicken will be richer when served hot.
Baked Chicken
Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
Grease the baking sheet with butter. Spread the butter evenly across the entire surface and around the edges of the baking tray.
Mix sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl.
Coat the chicken with the mixture. Add 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the mixture. Flip the chicken pieces to ensure they are evenly coated. Then, place the chicken in the refrigerator for about 20 to 30 minutes to allow the seasoning to absorb.
Coat the chicken with cornflakes and onion soup mix. In a bowl, combine cornflakes and onion soup mix. Roll the chicken in the mixture until the surface is fully covered. Gently shake the chicken to remove any excess coating.
Arrange the chicken breasts on the baking sheet. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of melted butter over the chicken.
Place the chicken in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken turns golden brown. The chicken is done when you use a food thermometer and the internal temperature reaches 74ºC.
Pan-Seared Chicken
Spray the non-stick skillet with a non-stick spray and heat the pan over medium heat.
Mix all-purpose flour and pepper in a small bowl. Once mixed, coat the chicken with the flour mixture.
Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until the underside turns golden. This step will take about 6 to 7 minutes. If you cannot cook all the chicken pieces at once, you can do it in two batches.
Flip the chicken and cook the other side until golden brown. This step will take an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Pour the chicken broth into the pan. Then, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits left from the chicken.
Next, add the chicken back into the pan, cover, and simmer on low heat. This step will take about 3 minutes.
Pour lemon juice and white peppercorns into the pan. Then, heat the chicken by stirring it in the pan for another 30 seconds. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy your meal. Savor the delicious flavor of the chicken drumsticks while they're still hot.
Ingredient Selection Tips
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Check food labels. Before preparing the chicken, ensure you select quality ingredients.
- For example, in the US, fresh chicken is labeled Fresh Meat, meaning it has not been stored below -3°C. If the chicken is frozen, it will be labeled Frozen Meat or Previously Frozen.
- Check the expiration date on the packaging to know when the chicken was sold and how long it can be stored. In the US, it is not mandatory to label the expiration date, but many stores and suppliers still include it for customer reference. Even after the expiration date, the chicken may still be safe to eat, though its quality will decline. Chicken frozen beyond the expiration date can still be eaten.
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Choose good quality chicken pieces. When selecting chicken, avoid pieces with unusual odors or bruises on the skin.
- Whole chicken - available in various sizes for frying, roasting, or grilling.
- Drumsticks - the thigh and leg portions, while the breast corner consists of wings and breast meat.
- Cut-up chicken - typically divided into 8 or 9 smaller pieces, excluding the backbone.
- Thighs and breasts - sold with skin and bones removed.
- Chicken liver - typically sold separately.
- Chicken necks, feet, and combs - generally sold in specific markets where there's demand.
- Cook the chicken within 2 days of purchase or store it in the freezer at -17°C or lower. Frozen chicken is safe to eat at any time. To avoid freezer burn, place the chicken in a specialized freezer bag and expel excess air.
Advice
- Don't forget to season the chicken, or it will taste bland. It's best to use spices that complement each other. For example, marinate the chicken with oil, salt, and minced garlic for a classic roast chicken flavor.
- To create an Indian-style dish, add curry powder. This spice is available at grocery stores, Indian shops, or import stores.
- Chop tomatoes and onions and sauté them with the cooked chicken. This is a great way to make goulash or gumbo.
- Revive the flavor of stored chicken. When the chicken is approaching its expiration date, you can cook it again to extend its shelf life and enhance its flavor using the following tips:
- Use barbecue sauce, sliced onions, or gravy to change the flavor of the chicken. Then, you can reinvent the dish into different recipes such as:
- Chicken pizza, pasta, soups, stews... and many other options.
- To make Indian chicken curry, you can purchase spices from Indian stores or import shops. Simply chop tomatoes and onions and follow the instructions on the spice packet.
- Thaw chicken in the fridge, microwave, or with cold water. Chicken thawed in the fridge can be kept for 1-2 more days before cooking or refrozen (only if kept cold). Chicken thawed in cold water or the microwave must be cooked immediately. Never leave chicken to thaw on the counter. Also, do not cook frozen chicken in the microwave or slow cooker. Instead, you can cook frozen chicken on the stove or in the oven, but it will take approximately 50% longer than usual.
- You can substitute cornflakes with breadcrumbs.
Warning
- Be cautious when using sharp objects.
- Be careful not to let hot oil splatter. You may experience burns or serious injury if hot oil splashes onto your skin (or into your eyes).
- When cooking chicken, ensure that it is thoroughly cooked. Additionally, be sure to clean your cooking tools (such as knives, cutting boards, etc.) to prevent bacterial contamination. While chicken is delicious, always prioritize safety for your health.
- Microwaving chicken may result in uneven cooking, which increases the risk of foodborne illness. This method should be avoided when preparing chicken for children or individuals with health concerns.
