Chicken is one of the most common and popular foods on earth. There’s an abundance of chicken in a majority of markets in many places around the world. It’s being famous as an international food makes the chicken the subject of many cooking styles and approaches.
We have been eating chicken all our lives, but it didn’t come to us how this tasty meat can adapt to different cooking methods.
To satisfy our curiosity, here are some of the most common ways to cook chicken:
1. Shallow-Frying
One of the most popular methods, shallow-frying cooks the chicken by soaking it in about one inch of oil. The chicken is allowed to cook, and as the first side is done, the meat is turned over to cook the other side.
2. Braising
Braising involves the cooking of large cuts of chicken by partially soaking it with liquid such as broth, cider, or wine. The cooking is done gradually and at low temperature. This results in a very tender, delicious meat.
3. Grilling
Grilling is done by cooking chicken meat over direct heat. It is the fastest method that is applicable to all cuts of meat. Even whole chicken can be grilled provided it is opened at the middle. Grilled chicken tastes the best when it is marinated before cooking and brushed with cooking oil or something that can add flavor to it.
4. Poaching
This method involves simmering the chicken in liquid until it is fully cooked. This method is typically used for making chicken broth for chicken soup or preparing the meat for low fat and low calorie dishes.
5. Spatchcock
In spatchcock cooking, the cook opens the chicken and removes the spine, the breast bone and the tips of the wings. This makes the chicken ready for roasting or grilling. Spatchcocking is usually intended to make the chicken cook in half the time than cooking it with its bones on.
6. Deep Frying
Deep-frying is a method that cooks the chicken by immersing it fully in cooking oil. This method cooks the meat quickly, especially if the cook uses a large pot to contain the meat and the oil.
7. Baking
Baking involves cooking the chicken in an oven at a temperature of between 350 – 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The cook then rubs the chicken with herbs and seasonings to make it more delicious and aromatic.
8. Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is method of cooking that is very popular in East Asia. It involves the removal of the skin and bones and the meat is fried in high temperature.
9. Sauteing
In sauteing, the chicken is chopped into small pieces and cooked thoroughly. After this, the cook adds sauce or broth into the chicken, and the entire dish is allowed to cook.
10. Stewing
Stewing is the most ideal method of cooking for dark meat chicken. Some cooks sear the meat before stewing, but this method is optional. Then he adds liquid to the pot and leaves the meat to cook at low temperature. You can actually stew chicken without having to sear it.