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Chicken Breast Products
The Instacart guide to chicken breast
About chicken breast
Chicken breast is a versatile protein used in a wide variety of cuisines and dishes. Chicken breast is a lean cut that comes from the pectoral muscle of the chicken. Every chicken has one whole breast with two halves. These are usually separated during the butchering process and sold as two individual breasts. The breast is healthy white meat, making it a more desirable cut than thighs, wings, or drumsticks.
You can find chicken breast with the bone-in or boneless. It is also available with the skin on or removed. If you prefer smaller cuts, you can find chicken tenders, which are chicken breasts cut into fillets.
Chicken breast has many health benefits and is an excellent substitute for red meat. It has vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and copper. A raw, boneless chicken breast contains:
- 120 calories
- 2.6 grams of fat
- 26 grams of protein
- 0 carbohydrates
Chicken also contains the amino acid tryptophan, which can boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is a hormone that makes people feel happy.
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Chicken breast cooking tips
Chicken breast is very versatile and can be cooked using a variety of methods. No matter how you plan to cook it, always handle any kind of chicken carefully when raw to avoid the risk of salmonella. Following a few simple handling tips will keep you and others safe:
- Always wash the preparation area, your hands, and any utensils thoroughly with soap and hot water to prevent cross-contamination.
- Avoid using unwashed cutting boards, utensils, or cookware after raw chicken has touched them.
- Avoid placing raw chicken near other ingredients that you do not intend to cook.
- Don't touch any surface with your hands after handling raw chicken, and if you do, wipe it down.
Because chicken breast doesn't have much fat, it can become dry during cooking if not done correctly. It is one of the best proteins, however, for taking on flavor and sauces. No matter how you prepare your chicken breast, use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 degrees F before serving. The best way to cook your chicken breast depends on the flavors you want:
- Oven roasting: Roasting or baking chicken breast is one of the easiest ways to cook it. Heat an oven to 400 F. While it warms up, pat the chicken breasts with paper towels to dry them, and coat a baking dish with nonstick spray. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil, and add your favorite seasonings. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meat reaches 165 F.
- Grilling: Grilling chicken breast is a healthy and flavorful cooking method. You can use a seasoning rub to add flavor or marinate the breasts before grilling to give them moisture and flavor. Heat the grill and use tongs to place the chicken breasts on the grates. Let them cook for five to seven minutes and then flip. Cook for another five to seven minutes.
- Slow-cooking: Chicken breast becomes tender and delicious in the slow cooker. Braise it first with a small amount of olive or cooking oil, then add it to the slow cooker with broth or another liquid, such as wine or tomato sauce. Add sliced onions, garlic, and herbs, and cook on low for three to four hours.
- Sauteing: Sauteing refers to cooking over medium-high heat in a skillet or pan. This is the fastest way to cook chicken breast.
- Poaching: To poach chicken breast, place it in a saucepan and cover it with enough cold water to submerge it. Add salt and other aromatics such as onion, fresh herbs, and garlic. Bring it to a boil, and then turn down the heat to simmer on low for 10 to 12 minutes.
Chicken Breast Near Me
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FAQs about chicken breast
It's important to thaw chicken safely, or if you don't have time, cook it when it's still frozen. The fastest way to thaw chicken breast is in the microwave, but you need to cook it immediately if you choose this method. Microwaves heat the chicken to a temperature at which bacteria thrive, so you need to cook the breasts to kill any pathogens.
You can also thaw chicken breasts using cold water by placing them in a leak-proof plastic bag. Fill a bowl or the sink with cold water, and submerge the bagged chicken. Change out the water every 30 minutes until the chicken thaws. The safest way to thaw chicken breast is in the refrigerator. It takes longer than the other methods, but it is safer.
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