Learning how to tenderize meat is the secret to the best way to tenderize chicken. Have you ever noticed how tender the chicken is in your favorite Chinese restaurant’s stir-fries? Many of us are guilty of ignoring the process of tenderizing chicken in many recipes. Tenderizing chicken is essential to ensure the chicken you are cooking is soft and juicy. The process is quite simple, and it doesn’t require any fancy tools or ingredients. All you need is a little bit of time and patience.
Why Tenderize Chicken?
Tenderizing chicken is important because it helps break down the tough muscle fibers in the meat. This results in a more tender and flavorful final product. Additionally, tenderizing chicken ensures that your chicken will cook evenly. If you don’t tenderize the chicken, you risk overcooking the outside while the inside remains raw.
What Are The Best Ways to Tenderize Chicken?
There are a few different ways that you can tenderize the chicken. We’ll show you different, easy methods to tenderize chicken. There are several methods, but we’ll focus on the most common ways: Pounding, marinade, and slow cooking.
1.Pounding The Chicken
One of the best ways to tenderize chicken is to pound it. Pounding the chicken will help break down the muscle fibers and make the meat more tender. All you need to do this is a mallet or a rolling pin.
Here’s the step by step process:
⚈Get a Meat Tenderizer
These are usually metal or hardwood mallets with rough heads used to pound the meat to make it softer. You can get a meat tenderizer at any kitchen store. A clean hammer will do the trick if you don’t have one, but it won’t be as effective as a tenderizing tool because of its smooth head.
⚈Use It on Any Boneless Chicken Cuts
It includes chicken breasts, thighs, or cutlets. Place the chicken on a cutting board or countertop and cover it with plastic wrap. It will help prevent the chicken from slipping while you’re pounding it.
⚈Start Pounding
Use gentle but firm strokes to pound the meat. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, or you’ll end up with chicken that’s too thin. Pound the meat until it’s about ½-inch thick. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
2. Marinating The Chicken
Marinating the chicken is another great way to tenderize it. This method works best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken marinades typically contain acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice, which help to break down the muscle fibers and make the meat more tender.
Here’s how to do it:
⚆Use a Plain Buttermilk or Yogurt Marinade
The acids and enzymes found in buttermilk and yogurt work together to break down the proteins in chicken flesh, making it softer. Soaking chicken in buttermilk or yogurt for a night before frying results in the finest fried chicken. You can use the same approach, when cooking chicken, including roasted, grilled, and BBQed versions.
⚆Marinate the Meat for at Least an Hour or More
To get the best results, you should marinate the chicken for at least an hour, but you can marinate it for 24 hours. In order to marinate it, simply place the chicken in a resealable bag or container with the marinade and let it sit in the fridge for the allotted time. You can season the marinade with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to give the chicken extra flavor.
⚆Explore Different Marinades
There are endless possibilities when it comes to chicken marinades. You can use a BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, or plain old vinegar and oil. Be creative and experiment with different flavors to find the perfect combination for you.
3. Slow Cooking The Chicken
Slow cooking is an excellent way to tenderize chicken if you’re short on time. This method is especially effective for tough cuts of meat like chicken thighs and legs. The low and slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues and makes the meat more tender.
Here’s how to do it:
⚈Choose a Cooking Method
There are several methods of cooking chicken, but the following are a few examples:
- Stewing the chicken: This is best for larger pieces of chicken that are still on the bone. You’ll need to simmer the chicken in a pot of liquid (water, broth, or even just plain old cooking wine) until it’s throughly cook.
- Grilling the chicken: This is best for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You’ll need to cook the chicken over indirect heat until it’s throughly cook.
- Baking the chicken: This is best for larger pieces of chicken that are still on the bone. You’ll need to bake the chicken in a covered dish at a low temperature (around 325 degrees Fahrenheit) until it’s throughly cook.
- Oven-baking the chicken: This is best for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You’ll need to bake the chicken in a covered dish at a high temperature (around 400 degrees Fahrenheit) until it’s throughly cook.
⚈Do not Overcook the Chicken
It’s important not to overcook the chicken, or it will become dry and tough. A great way to tell if the chicken is thoroughly cooking is by using a meat thermometer. Place the meat thermometer into the meat’s thickest part and wait until it registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can try the slow cooking method; here’s how you do it.
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices.
- Use the slow cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker and add enough liquid to cover it. You can use water, broth, or even beer.
- Cook on low for six to eight hours: Set the slow cooker to low and let the chicken cook for six to eight hours. Once it’s finished cooking, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken that’s perfect for any dish.
⚈Let the Chicken Rest
Once the chicken is cooked, it’s important to let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat even more tender.
These are a few of the best ways to tenderize the chicken. With these tips, you’ll be sure to have juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any dish.
Selecting the Tenderest Chicken
Is it confusing about what chicken to buy? If you are in the market for the best chicken, you might be overwhelmed with the different choices. Here are some tips on how to select the best chicken for your needs:
🍗Check the “Best By” Date
If you’re a meal planner, you can buy chicken a few days away from the “best by” date. It will give you time to tenderize the chicken before cooking it.
🍗Choose Pinkish-colored Chicken
Don’t depend on the “best by” date alone. It’s also a good idea to check the color of the chicken. Chicken that’s a pinkish color is typically the freshest. Look for chicken with a pinkish, meaty hue regardless of what cut you’re getting. Chicken’s color goes from pink to a dingy gray as it spoils.
As a result, any packages containing chicken with even a grey hue should be avoided. If you notice that the chicken has a strong smell, it’s best to avoid it. Chicken that smells bad is an indication that it’s starting to spoil.
🍗Make Sure the Chicken Skin is Intact
When chicken skin starts to deteriorate, it’s a sign that the chicken is no longer fresh. The best way to tell if the chicken skin is intact is to look at it closely. If you notice any holes or tears in the skin, it’s best to avoid that chicken.
🍗Avoid Pre-cut Chicken
Pre-cut chicken is more likely to be old than chicken that’s still whole. So, opt for a whole chicken instead. As it’s difficult to tell how long pre-cut chicken has been sitting out, it’s best to avoid it if you’re looking for fresh chicken.
Recipes to Make Using Tenderised Chicken
Once you’ve tenderized your chicken, you can use it in any recipe that calls for chicken. So, here are a few recipes with a tenderize chicken:
✔️Chicken Parmesan
This classic dish is made by breading and frying chicken coated in a tomato sauce. It is ideal for a weeknight meal.
To do this, you need:
– chicken breasts that have been pounded thin
– all-purpose flour
– eggs
– bread crumbs
– grated Parmesan cheese
– tomato sauce
– mozzarella cheese
First, you’ll need to tenderize the chicken by pounding it thin. Then, dredge the chicken in flour, eggs, and bread crumbs. Next, fry the chicken until it’s golden brown. Once it’s cooked, you’ll add the chicken to a baking dish and top it with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Finally, bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
✔️Chicken Fajitas
This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It’s also great for entertaining as you can set out all of the toppings and let everyone build their own fajitas.
To make chicken fajitas, you’ll need:
– chicken breasts that have been thinly sliced
– fajita seasoning
– peppers and onions that have been thinly sliced
– tortillas
First, tenderize the chicken by slicing it thin. Then, add the chicken to a skillet with some fajita seasoning. Next, add in the peppers and onions. Then, cook everything until the chicken is cooked through and tender veggies. Finally, serve it all up on a warm tortilla.
✔️Chicken Marsala
This dish is made by cooking chicken in a Marsala wine sauce. It’s a classic Italian dish that’s perfect for a date night or dinner party.
To make chicken Marsala, you’ll need:
– chicken breasts that have been pounded thin
– all-purpose flour
– salt and pepper
– olive oil
– mushrooms
– Marsala wine
– chicken broth
First, tenderize the chicken by pounding. Then, you should season the chicken with flour, salt, and pepper. Next, heat some olive oil in a skillet. Moreover, once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook it until golden brown.
Then, you’ll add the mushrooms and Marsala wine to the pan. Next, cook everything until the sauce has thickened. Finally, add in some chicken broth and cook it for a few more minutes. Serve it up with some mashed potatoes or rice, and enjoy!
✔️Chicken Alfredo
This dish is made by cooking chicken in a creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s a classic Italian dish perfect for a date night or dinner party.
To make chicken Alfredo, you’ll need:
– chicken breasts that have been thinly sliced
– Alfredo sauce
– pasta
– Parmesan cheese
First, tenderize the chicken by slicing it thin. Then, add the chicken to a skillet with some Alfredo sauce. Next, cook the chicken until it’s cooked through.
Once it’s cooked, you’ll add the chicken and sauce to some cooked pasta. Finally, top it all off with some Parmesan cheese.
✔️Grilled Chicken
This dish is perfect for a summer BBQ. It’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
To make grilled chicken, you’ll need:
– chicken breasts that have been pounded thin
– olive oil
– salt and pepper
First, tenderize the chicken by pounding it thin. Second, brush it with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Third, grill the chicken over medium-high heat until it’s cooked through. Finally, serve it up with your favorite BBQ sides.
Tenderizing chicken is a great way to ensure that your chicken dishes are always flavorful and moist. You can take your chicken dishes to the next level by using one of these methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I tenderize chicken?
It depends on the methods you’re using. If you’re pounding the chicken thin, you’ll only need to do it for a few minutes. If you’re marinating the chicken, you’ll need to let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Can I tenderize chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can Pound the chicken thin or marinate it ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
Do you rinse chicken after tenderizing?
No, you don’t need to rinse the chicken after tenderizing it. Since you’re going to cook the chicken anyway, there’s no need to rinse it.
What is the most effective way to tenderize chicken?
Pounding the chicken thin or marinating it are effective ways to tenderize chicken. However, It is important to note that over-tenderizing chicken can make it tough, so be careful not to overdo it!
How to tell if the chicken is over-tenderized?
If your chicken is starting to fall apart or shred. If this happens, you can try to salvage it by cooking it quickly over high heat. Otherwise, it’s best to start over with a new piece of chicken.
Final Thoughts
The words “easy” and “delicious” are not often used in the same sentence when it comes to cooking. However, with a little bit of know-how, you can make delicious chicken dishes easy to make. You can take your chicken dishes from good to great by tenderizing your chicken! Whether you choose to pound the chicken thin or marinate it, tenderizing chicken is a surefire way to up your cooking game. So go ahead and give it a try!
Have any other tips on how to tenderize chicken? Share them in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more cooking tips, be sure to check out our blog for more great content. Happy cooking!