Chicken is a popular staple in many houses across the country, but making sure it’s cooked to perfection without drying it out can be tricky to master. It can also be a protein that lacks flavour, depending on the cut of the bird.
Chicken breasts are notorious for being dry and flavourless when cooked at home, but a cooking expert has shared how one ingredient and technique can completely transform a bland chicken. What’s even better is that you won’t need to look far for it, as it’s probably already in your fridge. In a recent TikTok video, NYT Cooking revealed that the ingredient is butter.
NYT Cooking’s expert said: “Basting chicken breasts in butter is a smart way to add flavour and moisture to an otherwise lean and pretty mild protein.”
Butter enhances chicken’s flavour by acting as a carrier for other flavours, which are added to the pan, such as herbs, garlic, and spices, which are fat-soluble and infused into the chicken. The milk solids in butter also caramelise, adding a sweet and nutty taste.
Butter’s fat content gives the chicken a rich flavour, while basting keeps it moist and tender.
To ensure the chicken is cooked to perfection, you want to get a decent sear on the breast in a pan, before turning the heat down and adding the butter, as well as any seasonings. When the butter begins to foam, take a spoon and pour it over the chicken.
NYT Cooking said: “What you get is a well-seasoned, golden chicken breast that has a light perfume of garlic and herbs.”
Here’s how you can elevate your chicken breast at home.