A Quick Guide to Cooking Chicken: A Healthy, Tasty and Budget-friendly Option
The world of food is changing. People are paying more attention to how their food is produced, the nutritional content and how it will affect their health.
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Luckily, chicken has become a common household staple and a cost-effective way to improve your diet. Chicken can be prepared in many different ways that keep it as healthy as possible. If you’re not sure where to start in your journey as a chicken enthusiast, this quick guide will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to make (and finish) delicious chicken dishes every day of the week. Discover which cuts of chicken are best for roasting, which types taste great in stir-fries or salads, and what marinades pair best with grilled or pan-fried thighs.
How to Choose the Best Chicken
One of the first steps when cooking chicken is to ensure you have selected the best option for your meal. Chicken is a very versatile meat, so there are many different cuts to choose from, each offering their own health benefits. The first decision you’ll need to make is whether you want to buy whole chicken, or cut-up pieces. If you’re buying a whole chicken, you will need to decide between buying a whole chicken or a chicken with the giblets inside. Whole chickens are typically cheaper than cut-up pieces, but you will need to remove the innards yourself, which can be messy. Cut-up pieces have the innards removed, and the organs and excess fat have been disposed of, so there is less mess. Whether you choose whole or cut-up, make sure the chicken is unprocessed and organic.
Roast Chicken
When it comes to roasting chicken, the best cut is a chicken leg or thigh. Try to avoid buying a whole chicken if you’re roasting it, as the breast meat can be dry, while the leg and thigh pieces remain moist and tender. Roasted chicken is a great option if you’re short on time. The skin traps the fat and the natural juices in the chicken, making it succulent and delicious. Roasted chicken pairs well with a variety of different sides and sauces, so you can experiment with flavouring and serving combinations to find your favorite.
Stir-Fried Chicken
If a quick stir-fry is your preferred method of eating chicken, then a thigh or breast is the best cut for you. The key to making a stir-fry taste great is to add a sauce at the end, so the sauce and the chicken combine to create a delicious meal. Stir-fried chicken is best served with rice or noodles to make a tasty and filling meal.
Salmon and Chicken Broccoli Bowl
If you’re craving something different, why not try a salmon and chicken broccoli bowl? This dish is easy to make and can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Simply sauté salmon, chicken and broccoli with a little soy sauce and pepper, then serve with rice or noodles. This meal is high in protein, making it a great option if you’re trying to build muscle.
Taco Bowl
If you want to combine two favorites into one tasty meal, why not try a taco bowl? You can use chicken breast in place of ground beef to make this a healthier option. Add your choice of toppings, including salsa, sour cream, guacamole, black beans and baked beans. Serve the taco bowl with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal.
Tandoori Chicken
If you’re looking for a change from the usual baked or roasted chicken, why not try tandoori chicken? Tandoori chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices, yogurt and chicken stock for a delicious, spicy flavour. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in a hot oven, on a barbecue or on the stovetop.
Conclusion
Chicken is a great choice of meat; it’s cheap, easy to cook, versatile, and nutritious. There are many different cuts of chicken to choose from, so you can have different dishes every day of the week if you so wish. Whether you like your chicken baked, roasted, stir-fried or in a taco bowl, there’s something for everyone.
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