How to boil chicken without cracking the skin and turning it red

Boiling chicken is not difficult, but to have a beautifully cooked chicken with intact skin and tender meat, you need to know some special techniques.

By
Administrator
-
0
85

Choose Chicken

Choosing the right chicken is crucial in determining the quality of your dish. It is recommended to choose free-range chicken for a firmer and tastier meat, as commercially raised chickens tend to have tougher meat. The ideal weight for a chicken is around 1.5 to 1.8kg. Chickens of this weight usually have tender meat that won’t become tough or shrink when boiled.

If you’re buying live chickens, look for chickens with fresh red color, shiny feathers, and feathers pressed close to the body. When you touch the chicken, it should feel warm, and the feet should be small. Avoid buying chickens with runny mouth or dull eyes.

If you’re buying pre-cooked chickens, observe them carefully. The chicken skin should have a natural yellow color, the meat should be firm, and when you press it with your fingers, it should bounce back and not leave deep imprints. Don’t buy chicken with a purplish hue or thick fat in the neck and thighs.

Boiling the Chicken with Cold Water

You should choose a pot that is spacious enough to hold the whole chicken. The amount of water used for boiling the chicken should be enough to submerge the entire chicken. It is recommended to start boiling the chicken with cold water to prevent the chicken skin from contracting due to sudden exposure to hot water, which can cause uneven cooking and skin cracking. If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure it is completely thawed before boiling.

When boiling the chicken, place the chicken breast-side down at the bottom of the pot. Boil the chicken with some crushed ginger, spring onions, and salt to enhance the aroma and flavor of the chicken.

Start with high heat and wait for the water to boil for about 5 minutes, then reduce the heat and continue boiling for another 5 minutes. After that, turn off the heat, cover the pot tightly, and let the chicken cook evenly from the inside out for about 20 minutes.

To check if the chicken is cooked, you can use a skewer to poke the breast and thigh parts. If the skewer easily penetrates the meat without any red juices, the chicken is done.

After boiling, it’s not recommended to immediately transfer the chicken to a serving plate. Instead, soak the chicken in a bowl of cold water. The cold water will help the chicken skin tighten, making the meat firmer and preventing it from breaking when cutting. This method also prevents the chicken skin from drying out and turning dark. Once the chicken has cooled down, remove it from the water and let it drain.

Prepare some turmeric water and chicken fat for brushing. Mix the turmeric water with the chicken fat and spread it evenly over the entire chicken. This will give the chicken a beautiful golden color.

You may also like

How to Select the Best Tasting Chicken – Fresh or Pre-Prepared?

Do not let the wrong chicken ruin your Tet dishes! Selecting the right chicken for your dishes is essential for a successful celebration.

Exploring Creative Alternatives to Makeup for Enhancing Natural Beauty

No need to splurge on expensive makeup tools or pricey cosmetics – beautiful eyes can be achieved without any makeup at all!

Tips for Baking Food with a Microwave Oven’s Grill Setting

Today, Dien May XANH is here to show you how to use the baking feature in your microwave oven which is an incredibly useful kitchen tool for many households. Don’t forget that some ovens also include a grill option too!

Easy Kitchen Remedies to Improve Your Beauty

Did you know that it’s possible to find beauty products just as good as those expensive cosmetics from the market, without ever leaving your kitchen? All it takes is a few minutes of rummaging through your kitchen shelves.

How to Heat Food at Home Safely and Effectively

Do you want your leftovers to taste as delicious as freshly cooked? Look no further! Dien May XANH has all the answers in this article on how to reheat food grandly. With methods such as microwaving, oven-baking, and boiling, satisfying meals are guaranteed even with leftovers!

Frequently asked questions

First, ensure your chicken is at room temperature before boiling. Fill a pot with enough water to cover the chicken, add a tablespoon of salt, and bring it to a gentle boil. Carefully lower the chicken into the water, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Turn down the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for 10-12 minutes per pound of meat. Finally, turn off the heat and let the chicken sit in the water for an additional 15 minutes before removing it gently and letting it cool.

Chicken skin can crack and turn red when boiled due to a rapid change in temperature, which causes the proteins in the skin to contract and tighten, leading to cracking. The red color is a result of heat interacting with the meat’s myoglobin and oxygen in the blood.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe and thoroughly cooked. Also, ensure that your chicken is room temperature before boiling, and don’t crowd the pot; cook in batches if necessary to maintain even cooking.

You can add various ingredients to the boiling water to infuse flavor into the chicken. Try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary, whole peppercorns, bay leaves, or even sliced ginger and garlic. Additionally, don’t forget to season the chicken with salt and pepper before serving.

Boiled chicken can be served hot or cold and is versatile. You can shred it and use it in salads, sandwiches, or wraps. Slice it and serve it hot with roasted vegetables and gravy, or chill it and use it in chicken salads or cold pasta dishes.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR