Chicken is one of the world’s most loved proteins and is a favorite of health enthusiasts because it can be made healthy when prepared the right way.
In addition, chicken offers variety in terms of meat taste and texture. Some prefer the fleshy chicken thigh meat, others prefer the fatty, meaty yet bony wings, while health buffs lean more towards the chunkier, meatier, chicken breast.
Compared to pork and beef, chicken breast has considerably lesser fat, hence calories per serving. There are many ways to prepare and cook chicken meat. Here are some ideas.
Grill
Smoky and intensely flavorful, grilled chicken is a good bet for lunch and dinner. Even without a heavy dose of sauce, chicken that is cooked on a grill fire will be tasty, as long as you season it well and make good use of herbs and spices to make it more delicious.
The great thing about grilling is that you are using less fat, so it is a great option for those who are counting calories and would want to reduce their fat intake.
When grilling, some of the best ways to amplify the taste is to add garlic, pepper, lemon, and spices like paprika. You may also add herbs such as thyme to give the chicken some interesting taste.
Steam
For people who are on a bland diet or a very strict low-fat diet, steaming chicken with some vegetables is the best way to cook it.
Steaming keeps all the juices of the meat intact and prevents you from using too much oil or butter.
Stir Fry
For those who want a bit of fat and a punch of flavor, but still want something healthier than deep fried restaurant fried chicken, you can opt for stir frying.
Often used in Asian cooking, stir-frying uses less oil and makes great use of aromatics like garlic, ginger, chili, and soy to bring out the taste of the meat. Also since stir fries involve smaller cuts of meat, this process is quicker too.
It’s also very easy to toss vegetables, rice, and even beans along with the chicken for added health benefits. Mushrooms, bell peppers, leeks, carrots, cabbage, and broccoli are good stir fry add-ons for chicken.
Add to Soups
It is no surprise that chicken soup is a popular comfort food. A steaming hot broth and some tender chicken meat are a pretty good combination.
The great thing about cooking chicken into a soup is that you have tons of options. You can make a carb-less chicken and mushroom soup, veggie loaded chicken soup, a creamy chicken and corn soup, and even a filling chicken noodle soup!
Because chicken meat tastes pretty neutral, it goes well with many different ingredients such as tomato, beans, rice, cabbage, and so much more.
Use in Curries
Chicken and curry go well together. This is because chicken is kinda bland and can soak up flavors well. Curries, on the other hand, are like flavor bombs. When combined together, one can expect a hearty dish, no less.
Add to Sandwiches and Salads
Flaked or sliced chicken meat can easily be used as a sandwich base or a salad topping.
You can make a basic chicken salad sandwich or be a little adventurous by making a grilled chicken sandwich with nori and mayo-wasabi dressing. The possibilities are endless.
Bake
Baking chicken is a fuzz free way to cook your favorite protein. You can marinate your chicken before hand or simply toss the fresh chicken with your favorite ingredients such as tomato sauce, mushroom, eggplant, and a little cheese.
Chicken is truly one of the most versatile ingredients there is. With your imagination, you don’t have to eat a boring chicken meal ever again.
