Broil Chicken Breasts
For lunch or dinner, chicken is a nutritious and versatile food. It can be prepared in a number of ways to accomplish different flavors, textures and presentations. One of the easiest and most straightforward of these preparations is broiled chicken breast. Read the following article to learn how to broil chicken breasts in a flavorful and simple way.
Steps
- Buy chicken breasts. You can purchase either fresh or frozen chicken breasts. If you choose frozen chicken breasts, however, keep in mind that you'll have to completely defrost them before broiling. You can broil chicken breasts with or without skin.
- Rub each chicken breast with olive oil or another similar oil. To do so, you can use your fingers or a pastry brush. The olive oil adds flavor and helps the seasonings adhere better to each chicken breast.
- Season your chicken according to preference. Choose from pre-made or homemade seasoning combinations. Nearly all seasoning will include both salt and pepper. Other herbs and spices could include any combination of garlic, thyme, fennel and more.
- Preheat your broiler. Depending on the make and model of your broiler, this could take up to 10 minutes.
- Place your seasoned chicken breasts on an oven-proof cooking sheet. Spray with a nonstick substance to prevent sticking. Space each chicken breast several inches from each other so they don't touch while broiling.
- Put your cooking sheet with the seasoned chicken under the broiler. The meat should be approximately 5 to 6 inches (12.5 to 15 cm) from the heat source.
- Leave the broiler door ajar during the entire broiling process.
- Watch carefully as you make broiled chicken. Broilers are extremely hot and chicken can easily burn if not monitored. Place foil on the edges of the chicken breasts if they begin to brown to prevent burning on the thinner parts of the chicken.
- Turn chicken over with metal tongs when one side has browned. Don't use a fork to turn over the chicken breasts. Piercing the chicken will cause the juices to escape and make your chicken dry.
- Brush the exposed side of the chicken with a basting of barbecue sauce, olive oil, Italian dressing or other marinade. Additional basting keeps the chicken moist, even when broiled at extreme temperatures.
- Brown the chicken until the breasts are fully cooked. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. Chicken is done when the juices run clear and it has reached an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit (about 77 degrees Celsius). This can be checked with a meat thermometer.
Tips
- If your chicken breasts are too thick or uneven for convenient broiling, use a kitchen mallet to pound your chicken to be thinner and more even.
- Always wash hands with hot water and soap after you've touched raw chicken. Bacteria on your hands can be transferred to other surfaces where they can make you or your family sick if ingested.
- For a healthier dish, remove the skin from your broiled chicken breasts before serving.
Warnings
- Don't wash your chicken breasts prior to grilling. Cooking at an appropriate heat will kill any bacteria and washing increases the chances of splashing bacteria-laden water on your countertops, stovetop or other cooking surface.
Things You'll Need
- Chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
- Olive oil
- Various seasonings
- Cooking sheet
- Foil
- Metal tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Hot water and soap
- Kitchen mallet
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