What do broiled chicken thighs, braised beef brisket, and roast legs of lamb have in common, besides the fact that a vegetarian won’t touch them? They all require resting after cooking, unless you enjoy eating dry, stringy meat. It’s a little complicated to explain why, but in general, cutting into a piece of meat soon after removing it from the heat source causes it to release significantly more flavorful juices onto the cutting board (instead of into your mouth) than if you wait five to thirty minutes, depending on the cut.
I agree to the terms and privacy statement by signing up, as well as receiving emails from POPSUGAR. You’re subscribed! Pop Culture Lifestyle Love and Sex Healthy Living ×.
I agree to the terms and privacy statement by signing up, as well as receiving emails from POPSUGAR.
Mistake: You don’t check the temperature.
Since many recipes provide an approximate cooking time for chicken dishes, it is reasonable to assume that time is the most crucial consideration. However, in practice, temperature always prevails over time.
The only tool that can truly assure you that the meat is fully cooked is a meat thermometer. To test whether chicken is cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat (without touching a bone). Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to avoid cooking the meat past this point in order to prevent having dry meat on your hands.
Don’t miss these 10 Chef Secrets for Perfectly Cooking Chicken Breasts for additional cooking advice.
Chicken with taco seasoning, chicken with ginger soy, and lemon oregano chicken, from left to right.
All of us have cooked chicken in the past that was chewy, dry, and tough. But over time, I’ve discovered a few tricks for making moist and tender chicken, which I’d like to share with you. If you adhere to these instructions, you will always have juicy chicken. Links to some chicken dishes that you can try are also provided.
When we need to quickly prepare dinner, chicken is the meat of choice. It is adaptable, widely accessible, affordable, and mild, allowing for an endless variety of flavor combinations. It doesn’t matter whether you pan fry, deep fry, bake, grill, poach, or steam it; the preparation is what matters most. Yet so many people don’t know how to cook it properly. This lengthy article explains the significance of each step:
Do you use any other techniques to obtain moist and tender chicken and what is your favorite recipe for chicken?
Mistake: You don’t use this surprising tool for juicier meat.
For a perfectly juicy bird, all you need is a few bricks and some aluminum foil. Forget the bottled barbecue sauce. We love this Chicken Under a Brick recipe for a true chicken feast that couldn’t be easier to prepare because the extra weight helps press the bird evenly—and forcefully—against the grill.
FAQ
Do chicken breasts need to rest?
Chicken needs to rest after cooking, just like a good steak. After the meat reaches 165 degrees, Robins advises turning off the heat and letting it rest for a few minutes before slicing it so the juices can redistribute themselves throughout the meat.
How long does chicken need to rest?
Similar to beef, lamb, and pork, chicken must rest after cooking to allow the juices to return to the meat. For 30 minutes, cover your chicken with foil and leave it alone.
Will chicken breast continue to cook while resting?
Again, you should aim for 165 degrees F, but keep in mind that the chicken will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat. The dish should be removed from the heat when it reaches 160–162 degrees for the juiciest breast; the chicken will continue to cook for a few more degrees after being taken off the heat.
Can you rest chicken too long?
If you keep your food out at room temperature for too long, nothing is secure. Generally speaking, cooked meats shouldn’t be left out for longer than two hours, especially chicken.
