Never Suffer Dry Baked Chicken Again. Here's How

Never Suffer Dry Baked Chicken Again. Here's How offers practical tips and techniques to ensure your baked chicken is always juicy and flavorful. The guide begins by emphasizing the importance of selecting the right cut of chicken, advising on the benefits of bone-in and skin-on pieces for retaining moisture. It then highlights the significance of brining, a process that involves soaking the chicken in a saltwater solution to enhance both moisture and taste. Marinating is another key step, allowing you to infuse the chicken with your choice of flavors while also tenderizing the meat. The guide also discusses the necessity of maintaining the right oven temperature, suggesting a moderate heat to slowly cook the chicken evenly without drying it out. Basting the chicken with its own juices or a flavorful broth during baking is recommended to keep it moist. Additionally, resting the chicken after baking is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a succulent bite. The guide concludes with a reminder to avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer to check for doneness, ensuring your baked chicken emerges from the oven perfectly cooked every time.
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Balancing heat and moisture in baked chicken

When inquired about the best oil or fat for baking chicken, Matt Baker suggested, "I strongly recommend using high-quality extra virgin olive oil. It adds flavor to the chicken and gives it a lovely golden-brown color." Extra virgin olive oil is perfect because its smoke point is just above the ideal baking temperature for chicken, which ranges from 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is sufficient to crisp the skin without causing it to burn.

To ensure the chicken remains moist without excess liquids pooling at the bottom, consider using the parchment paper method for optimal baking. Parchment paper, aluminum foil, or any oven-safe wrap you have on hand will help retain both the juices and steam. By balancing heat and moisture, your baked chicken will be tender enough to enjoy on its own or to incorporate into other dishes.

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