The Asked

Chapter 04 — Travel, Food & Lifestyle

How do I cook chicken without drying it out?

Three rules. One: salt it the day before — even 40 minutes helps. Two: cook to internal temperature, not time — 74 °C (165 °F) at the thickest part, then rest 5 minutes. Three: high heat sears, lower heat cooks through. A meat thermometer is the cheapest cooking upgrade you'll ever buy.

Follow-up questions

How long to bake chicken breast?

About 18–22 minutes at 200 °C (400 °F) for a 200 g breast. Always confirm with a thermometer.

Should I brine chicken?

Dry-brining (just salt) is easier and works as well as wet-brining for most home cooks. 1% of the meat's weight in salt, refrigerate uncovered.

Can I eat slightly pink chicken?

Pink near the bone is sometimes fine if temperature is correct. Pink juice or rubbery texture in the middle is not — keep cooking.

People also search

  • chicken internal temperature
  • best way to bake chicken
  • how to brine

Related across The Asked

More from Travel, Food & Lifestyle