Have you tried to microwave chicken breasts for your family’s dinner? If not, you are denying them great pleasure.
Can you microwave chicken breast?
As a great lover of chicken breasts, I too often try a new method every weekend to prepare the breasts differently. So last week I tried to microwave my thinly cut chicken breasts.
Today I’ll give easy-to-follow tips on how to make delicious microwaved chicken breasts just like I did.
Can You Cook Raw Chicken Breast In The Microwave?
Yes, it is safe and simple to microwave chicken breasts. Just like roasting or grilling, microwaving chicken breasts is an effective and convenient method.
You are advised to use microwave-safe baking dishes and cover them with safe a glass lid.
Cooking chicken breasts in the microwave is fast, hence energy-saving.
You are advised to set your microwave temperature to the HIGH mark to ensure the chicken breasts are properly cooked.
You should leave the chicken breasts to microwave at a heat of 400 degrees.
One piece (225g) of the chicken breast takes 8-10 mins to cook while 2 pieces (450g) take 10-12 minutes.
Microwaved chicken breasts come out soft and tasty. Their tender and juicy nature makes them ideal for salad toppings.
You can microwave chicken breast to thaw or defrost them too.
What Do You Require To Microwave Your Chicken Breasts Accurately?
You will need the following ingredients to make delicious chicken breasts:
- Thinly pounded boneless and skinless pieces of chicken breasts.
- A pinch of salt or enough salt to taste.
- Enough water or stock to cover the bottom of your microwave-safe dish. The preferred liquid should cover the chicken breasts 1/3 way.
- Seasonings of your choice like garlic, Italian, and taco seasoning, etc.
You will also need the following equipment to perfectly microwave your chicken breasts:
- Meat tenderizer. Use it to pound the chicken breasts to the recommended ¼ inch thickness.
- Microwave safe baking dishes. They must be large enough to accommodate the available pieces in a single layer.
- Meat thermometer for checking the internal temperatures of the meat, especially the thick parts. This ensures that all parts get evenly cooked.
Instructions on How To Microwave Chicken Breasts
You should follow these steps to microwave chicken breasts effectively:
- Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken breasts into thin pieces.
- Dice your chicken breasts into small portions. This makes them cook faster.
- Add seasonings of your preference. Make sure to add a pinch of salt or salt enough to taste.
- Pace the breast pieces into a microwave-safe dish and cover them with plastic or wax wraps.
- Add water or stock into the dish until the chicken breasts are 1/3 way covered.
- Place in the microwave and let them cook for 6 to 8 minutes at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Always confirm the microwave’s wattage from the user manual.
- Thinly pounded chicken breasts should take 8-10minutes while thick or regular chicken breast cuts may between 10-12 minutes to cook.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check if the thick parts of the chicken breasts have attained the 165-degree temperature. Alternatively, you can also use a skewer to pierce the cooked breast and check if the meat juices have dried up.
- Once the microwave goes off, use your thermometer to ascertain that the chicken breasts have attained 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If properly done, pour the delicious breasts on a clean plate and shred or dice for other recipes.
- You can also eat the chicken breasts at this point. They are fully cooked, I mean!
To defrost frozen chicken breasts, place them on a microwave-safe plate and press the defrost button on the microwave for about 2-3 minutes.
Why Would You Opt To Microwave Your Chicken Breasts?
I find microwaving my chicken breasts ideal over other cooking methods because:
- The high microwave temperatures ensure the chicken breasts are thoroughly cooked over a short time. Unevenly cooked proteins provide a breeding environment for bacteria.
- Microwaved chicken breasts are excellently soft and juicy for salad toppings. They are also easy to shred.
- Microwaving chicken is fast hence saving on energy.
- Microwaving chicken breasts is an ideal method to cook them because the microwave does not heat the entire kitchen, unlike roasting.
- Microwaving chicken breasts is not an equipment-intensive process hence not many dishes in the sink.
- The microwaved chicken comes out moist perfect for dicing and shredding.
- The steam bath ensures the chicken breasts are perfectly poached giving them a moist finish.
However, there are other diverse methods of preparing chicken breasts including poaching, roasting, and oven grilling.
Safety Tips for Microwaving Chicken Breasts
Microwave use is the newest trend in most kitchens and it is generally safe if necessary precaution is observed.
Please observe the following standard precautions while microwaving chicken breasts:
- Put the microwave-safe dish in the microwave first then turn it on. Turning on an empty microwave could cause a fire.
- Always use dishes that have a microwave-safe label when microwaving your favorite chicken breasts.
- Ensure you use safety glass lids or wax wraps that will not melt and spoil your chicken breasts.
- Ensure you cover the bottom of the baking dish with water to avoid burning the chicken breast.
- Use a thermometer to check if the chicken breasts have attained the recommended 165 degrees Fahrenheit temperature after the first 5 minutes of cooking.
- Do not microwave the chicken breasts for more than 10 minutes.
- You can opt to create a vent on the plastic wrap you use to cover the dish to avoid too much steam build-up.
Wrapping up
It is safe and convenient to microwave chicken breasts. However, you must adhere to the laid down safety guidelines.
Microwaving chicken breasts is more convenient compared to roasting and grilling in that it is fast and energy-saving.
Microwaved chicken breasts come out juicy and tender thus perfect for salad dressings. The microwaved breast chunks can also be eaten on their own, not just in salads.