There has been an ongoing debate about should chicken be covered when baking. Different people have different opinions about it. Some say that you should cover it, while the others say that it’s okay to leave it open. Some say that not covering the chicken will cause it to dry. Which one is correct? Find out the facts about proper way to bake a chicken without making it too dry.
Should Chicken Be Covered when Baking? When to Do It Properly?
As a general rule of thumb, coverage won’t be necessary for tasty result. But then again, it comes down to your own preferences. You see, covering the chicken will maintain the moisture. So, the question to ask yourself is: Do I like it crispier or moister?
If you like moister chicken, covering it will help. But if you want a crispier one, then you shouldn’t cover it at all. Moreover, if you are using a skillet, placing a lid will keep the steam within while increasing moisture altogether. This method is best if you want to have a stew-like texture.
In the event you cook a stewed chicken, then you will have to cover the entire meat with liquid. Then bring the pot (entirely) to a boil. This is the time when you cover it with the lid on. When everything has boiled down, reduce the heat and let it simmer.
Breaded Chicken
Baking is basically about using dry heat to heat up and cook the food, and the heat would surround it. With a coverage, the internal parts can cook without burning it. You should know that chicken breasts are prone to dryness. They may dry faster when compared to other parts, especially when they are boneless and skinless. But when you make breaded chicken, you shouldn’t cover it because you don’t want it to be soggy. However, if you also want to make tender result, simply use a parchment so the moisture will stay.
How to Create Moist Baked Chicken
You can follow these tips if you want to create moist chicken while baking it.
- Lower temperature is the key to maintain moisture and also flavor. Bone pieces, in general, are juicier, but you can still make delicious and tender boneless (and skinless) chicken breasts with low temperature. Bake it longer with low temperature.
- Olive oil is better than butter. The oil will help maintain the meat’s natural moistness while adding up extra flavor at the same time. You can enhance the natural taste of the chicken in a simple way.
- Think about the thickness of the meat. Generally, bigger (and thicker) pieces will need more time to cook. If you have extra time, these pieces are okay. But if you have limited time, consider cutting them into smaller and also thinner pieces.
- Add veggies to boost the flavor. The meat juice will flow to the veggies, creating delicious and tasty flavor. However, not all veggies are perfect for this ‘task’. You should pick root veggies (like squash or potatoes) or big pieces of onion or celery. Not only tasty, but you can have healthy option too.
So, you now have the answer. It all comes down to your personal like and how you want to get the final results. Should chicken be covered when baking? It’s entirely up to you.
