Cooking chicken can be a bit of a minefield, but there's one simple trick you can use to ensure your pan-fried chicken is both cooked through and deliciously moist.
Getting chicken right can be trickier than it appears. We all know it must be thoroughly cooked, as undercooked chicken can be extremely hazardous, and that concern frequently leads us to overdo it in a bid to eliminate any uncertainty. However, if you want to ensure your chicken is both properly cooked and wonderfully moist, there's an effortless technique at your disposal. The approach works particularly well when frying chicken in a pan and requires just a single ingredient.
You might assume this involves adding a generous knob of butter, but that's not the case here. A woman on TikTok recently unveiled her fail-safe method for achieving perfectly cooked chicken - all you need is an extra dash of water in the pan while it's cooking.
The food enthusiast started by warming oil in her pan and placing two chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices inside. She reassured her viewers, however, that this technique is equally effective regardless of whichever seasonings or marinades you prefer.
After leaving the chicken to cook untouched for five minutes on one side, she turned the breasts over and poured a cup of water into the pan. She then placed a lid on top and allowed the chicken to continue cooking for a further two to four minutes.
The most vital stage followed: she switched off the heat and left the chicken to rest in the pan for an extra 15 minutes. Once the timer goes off, lift the chicken breasts from the pan and allow them to rest for a couple of minutes prior to serving in your preferred style. Online commenters were united in their admiration for the technique, declaring it the ultimate solution for perfectly succulent chicken every single time. Those discovering the method for the first time were eager to give it a go.
One user remarked: "I always finish my chicken with water and the lid. Makes it super moist." Another contributed: "I use chicken stock instead of water for a little more flavour, and then [I can] make a sauce out of it later. Add a little heavy cream, a sprinkle more Cajun and some cheese." A third chimed in: "I grew up with dry chicken, and now I am cursing my children with dry chicken. If it's moist, I think something is wrong even though it's right."
Top tips for guaranteed juicy chicken
While there are countless ways to prepare chicken, if you're after tender, juicy meat every time, keep these pointers in mind:
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Too much chicken in the pan at once can create steam.
- Don't touch it: Only turn the chicken once to let it build colour and prevent sticking.
- Finish gently: Reduce the heat and cover the pan with a lid toward the end.
- Rest before slicing: Resting reduces juice loss and gives chicken a better texture.
Always make certain your chicken is thoroughly cooked prior to serving. Chicken is safe to consume once it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C, and the most reliable way to verify this is by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the meat. The juices should run completely clear when the meat is pierced. Should the juice appear pink, the meat hasn't been cooked all the way through. If you cut into the meat and it looks pink rather than opaque white throughout, it requires further cooking.
