How to Broil Chicken

Chicken is one of the most versatile meat items and there are many ways of cooking it. Poaching, grilling, baking, stir frying, deep frying and broiling are some of the different cooking methods that can be employed for cooking chicken. One of the most nutritious and the best cooking methods for preparing chicken is by broiling. Broiling can be defined as cooking a food item under dry and direct heat so that the food is browned. Broiling chicken has always received a bad reputation as many people find that by broiling chicken, the meat becomes to dry and flavorless. Although that is true to a certain extend, with the proper method of broiling chicken, the chicken cooked in this manner can be quite tasty and flavorful. Broiling is similar to grilling, and if you know how to grill chicken, you can easily broil chicken too.

Broiling Chicken Breasts
Broiled chicken breast can be used as filling for sandwich and panini and they can also be used in salads and soups. Chicken breast is notorious for becoming dry and flavorless and most people make the mistake of overcooking chicken breast. There is nothing worse than dry rubbery chicken in a salad or sandwich. To avoid this, knowing the right way of broiling chicken is very important. Chicken has very little fat in its flesh and all the fat is concentrated just underneath the skin of the chicken. So while broiling chicken, it is best not to remove the skin.

To cook chicken breast, first season the chicken with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add other herbs like fresh thyme, minced garlic, rosemary and oregano. Rub a bit of olive oil on the chicken breast, so that while broiling it does not stick to the oven tray. After you have thoroughly seasoned the chicken breasts, place them in a broiler tray, skin side down and put them in the broiler compartment of your oven at a temperature of 350 F. Closely observe the chicken in the oven and when the top side is browned, turn the chicken to the other side. After about 10 minutes, remove the chicken breast from oven and use in your chicken recipe.

Broiling Chicken Legs
Broiled chicken legs are very delicious, provide they remain juicy and succulent. For broiling chicken legs, you need to first marinate the legs in herbs and spices of your choice and then season it with salt and pepper. Place the chicken legs on a broiling tray and place it in the broiling compartment of your oven. After 10 minutes, when the chicken legs are browned on one side, flip them over to the other side. Make sure that you use tongs for flipping the chicken legs and not do it with a fork. Using a fork to turn the chicken piece, will pierce the skin, which will allow all the chicken juices to ooze out. This will in turn make the chicken dry and stringy.

When both the sides of the chicken legs are well browned, take the chicken legs out of the oven and allow them to rest for 4 to 5 minutes before serving. Resting of the chicken pieces is very important as this concentrates the flavor and keeps the chicken juicy.

Broiling chicken in this way leaves the meat very moist and tasty. Rubbing a dry rub or marinade on the chicken before broiling makes the meat juicy and tender. If you are wondering how long to broil chicken, it is around 10 to 15 minutes on each side.