Boiling a chicken is not a difficult task, but not everyone can make it taste delicious. If not done properly, the meat can turn out bland and unappetizing, and sometimes even undercooked. One common question among home cooks is whether to boil a chicken breast-side up or down. So, which method is the correct one to ensure even cooking and a tasty, juicy bird?
Should You Boil a Chicken Breast-Side Up or Down?
In Vietnam, it is common to boil a whole chicken before carving it up for serving or shredding the meat for dishes like noodle soups and salads. But how should you position the chicken to ensure even cooking and a tasty result?
If you place the chicken breast-side up during boiling, the thighs and breast may not be fully submerged in the water, leading to uneven cooking. The outside might be cooked while the inside remains raw.
Therefore, it is recommended to place the chicken breast-side down in the pot to ensure that the water covers the thighs and breast, which are the thickest and most challenging parts to cook. This way, the meat will cook faster as it comes into direct contact with the hot surface of the pot.
Should you boil a chicken breast-side up or down? Place the chicken breast-side down to ensure the most difficult parts are submerged. (Illustrative image: Pinterest)
Other Common Mistakes to Avoid When Boiling a Chicken
To ensure a delicious boiled chicken dish, keep the following mistakes in mind:
Overboiling the Chicken
Due to the size of the bird and the desire to ensure it is thoroughly cooked, many people tend to overboil the chicken, resulting in a mushy and unappetizing texture. A good rule of thumb is to boil the chicken for about 10-15 minutes, and a little longer if it is larger or older. Then, turn off the heat and let the chicken sit in the hot water for another 10-15 minutes to ensure doneness.
Boiling the Chicken on High Heat
Using high heat when boiling chicken can cause the skin to crack and the broth to become cloudy. Instead, opt for medium heat, and reduce the heat to low once the water comes to a boil. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors and cook evenly from the outside in.
Using a Pot That’s Too Small
The size of the pot matters! A pot that is too small will make it difficult to turn the chicken, increasing the likelihood of the skin cracking and the meat not cooking evenly.
How to Boil a Delicious Chicken
For a mouthwatering boiled chicken dish, follow these steps:
Choosing the Right Chicken
The first step to a delicious boiled chicken is selecting the right bird. Opt for a free-range chicken weighing around 1.5-2 kg. Larger chickens are more prone to cracking during boiling. For an even tastier treat, choose a hen that has just laid eggs, as the meat will be tender yet firm.
Free-range chickens have bright yellow skin after cleaning, but the breast, wings, and back will be a darker shade of yellow. Avoid chickens with purple, spotted, or black marks on the skin.
Check the firmness of the meat by gently pressing on the body, thighs, and sides with your finger. Also, take a whiff to ensure there are no unpleasant odors.
The Boiling Process
To ensure a well-cooked and tasty boiled chicken, follow these steps:
Step 1: Rub the chicken inside and out with salt to clean and remove any unpleasant odors. Then, rinse it with clean water. A trick to prevent the skin from tearing during boiling is to cut off the feet after cleaning; this will cause the skin to retract during cooking.
Step 2: Choose a pot that is proportional to the size of the chicken to ensure even cooking and an aesthetically pleasing presentation. Before placing the chicken in the pot, use skewers to secure the head and neck to the body.
Step 3: Place the chicken breast-side down in the pot and add cold water until it covers the head. Turn on the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. For a more flavorful broth, add some ginger, crushed onion, and a pinch of salt or fish sauce.
Step 4: Once the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium and continue boiling for 10 minutes. Keep the lid off during this process. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the chicken sit in the hot water for another 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Remove the chicken from the pot and immediately place it in ice-cold water to tighten the skin and keep the meat firm and juicy.
According to VTC News
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Boiling chicken is a common cooking method, but not everyone knows how to boil chicken properly to achieve juicy and flavorful meat. Using the wrong type of boiling liquid can result in a bland boiled chicken that doesn’t meet expectations.
