Cooking chicken may seem like a simple task, but there’s more to it than just throwing a chicken in the oven (if you want a tasty, tender and juicy bird). To ensure that your chicken is juicy and tender, there are a few things you need to do. So continue reading these simple tips to create a delicious chicken meal that your family and friends will love.

Why chicken is a great option it’s healthy, reasonably priced & versatile.

Chicken is perhaps one of the most popular and versatile proteins you can use to create a delicious meal. Not only is chicken a great option because it’s relatively healthy and affordable too. Plus, chicken contains essential vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, vitamin B-6, niacin, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc. Chicken is packed with lean protein that helps keep you fueled throughout the day. So when it comes to preparing a meal that fits within your budget while still delivering flavour and nutrition – chicken may just be the way to go!

Preparing chicken

Whether you are working with chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken thighs or a whole chicken, there’s always the possibility of ending up with an overcooked, dry bird. To make sure your chicken turns out delicious and juicy – the crucial steps are to season it well and add aromatics to create flavour. Start off by seasoning both sides of your chicken pieces generously with salt, black pepper and any other desired seasonings. If you are using a whole chicken, stuffing the inside adds plenty of flavours! It’s best to test out different combinations to see what suits your taste best before you pull out your pan and start cooking.

Cooking chicken

Is there really any dish that can top chicken when it comes to versatility? Chicken breasts, wings and thighs are so versatile and delicious that you can craft a whole range of mouthwatering dishes.

Whole chicken – Roasting a whole chicken is the perfect solution for feeding the whole family. If you need help keeping your chicken moist, try coating the breasts and legs with 25g of softened butter, cook at around 190c fan/170c/gas mark 5 for around an hour and 20 minutes (for a chicken around 1.5kg) when the juices run clear your chicken is cooked. Leave it to rest for at least 15 – 20 minutes. You can also cook your chicken in the air fryer (who doesn’t have one nowadays?) simply spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, place your chicken in, breast side down, and cook for 30 minutes at 180c, then turn your chicken over and cook for another 30 minutes or until the juices run clear. Don’t forget to leave your chicken to rest when it’s cooked.

Chicken breasts – Chicken breasts can quickly dry out, depending on how you cook them. With such little fat content, chicken breasts are great cooked in sauces like curry or pasta sauces. They are best when cooked on a high heat quite quickly. You can stuff them, coat them in breadcrumbs or enjoy them with a flavouring.

Chicken thighs – Thighs have a slightly higher fat content, which makes them a great choice for slow cooking as they don’t dry out as chicken breasts do. They are also great when grilled with some flavouring or baked in the oven. If you enjoy a crispy skin on your thighs, roasting or grilling them is the way to go.

Roasting a chicken is an ideal solution for when you need to feed the whole family as well. Not only does it provide enough servings for everyone, but it can be quite economical too. Preparing chicken for roasting is also simple – all you need is your chicken of choice and some seasoning that’ll give your chicken plenty of flavour. With just a few ingredients, you’ll be able to cook up a delightful chicken dish in no time!

Using up the leftovers

If you’ve got chicken leftovers, don’t discard them! Put them to good use and craft a scrumptious chicken soup or stock. Simply place the chicken bones and any unwanted leftovers in a pot and cover them with cold water. Set the temperature to low-medium so it’ll just simmer for a few hours. Use various herbs, vegetables and spices for flavour including carrots, celery, onion, thyme and bay leaves. After several hours of simmering, strain and then reduce by half. You can freeze this for stock or add other ingredients to make a tasty soup.

However you enjoy your chicken, you can pick up your fresh chicken from Taylor’s Butchers the next time you’re doing your grocery shopping, and get cooking!