How to Bake Chicken
Baking can bring out the delectable flavor, enticing taste and pleasing aroma of chicken. For these and many other reasons, people find this method better than other ways of cooking. Furthermore, it makes the meat tastier and juicier. Perfect for all kinds of occasions, people can easily turn simple ingredients into an irresistible treat by learning how to bake chicken.
Ingredients and Materials Needed
When learning how to bake chicken, bring all-important materials such as meat thermometer, oven and roasting pan. For cutting meat and other ingredients, prepare a sharp knife. For the ingredients, you need to prepare 5-tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of ground black pepper. Be sure to get a pinch each of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano. For the main ingredient, purchase a cut up or whole broiler-fryer chicken, preferably one that is about 2½ to 3½-pounds. You can also bring in a special marinade of your choice, which is an optional ingredient in making tasty baked chicken.
Important Instructions
When all the ingredients and materials are set, slowly turn your oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer to use a whole chicken instead of a cut up one, take the giblets out of the chicken’s cavity. Use cool water to clean the chicken. After that, get some paper towels and then use them to dry the entire meat. Season it with ground black pepper and salt.
Place the chicken inside the roasting pan. Get the olive oil and then rub it on the entire meat. To add more taste, this is the right moment to add the special marinade. Place the pan without the cover inside the preheated oven. Let it bake for about 1 to 1 ½ hour. Wait until the chicken meat acquires a golden brown color. When this happens, check the temperature with the help of the meat thermometer. You can easily identify if the meat is done when the temperature for the thighs reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit or when the temperature of the breast part is about 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Before carving the meat, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy great tasting chicken.
Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information
If you do not have a meat thermometer, a way of checking the meat is to cut the thigh, particularly at the deepest part. It is done when the juices are clear and the meat no longer has a pinkish color. It is good to add various types of dry seasonings to enhance the flavor of the dish. To do this, simply rub rosemary, thyme and oregano onto the chicken before baking. You can also add lemon juice on top of the dish before cooking.