Chicken dishes are tasty, easy to prepare and healthy. It is a dietary product, as the meat contains a minimum of fat, but at the same time satisfies the human body's need for protein.
The product is rich in calcium and phosphorus, contains vitamin A, necessary for eye health, and vitamin B5, which improves the reproductive function of men and women.
Due to the fact that chicken contains a lot of protein, it helps build muscles, for which it is valued in sports nutrition. But most people want to see on their table not just a healthy product, but also a tasty dish. And there is nothing tastier than chicken with a golden and crispy crust. But to get it, you will have to understand the secrets of cooking that experienced chefs resort to.
Secret number one: baking temperature
A golden crust is obtained if you bake meat in the oven. But its uniformity and richness largely depends on the temperature.
Inexperienced cooks often increase the baking temperature in the hope that the chicken will cook faster and "burn" from the strong heat. But as a result, the meat inside remains raw, and the crust burns. This problem is especially relevant for large pieces and poultry baked whole.
The crust is best obtained at a temperature of 180-200 degrees. The baking time depends on the size of the bird. You should be guided by the fact that for each kilogram of meat you need about 40 minutes.
Secret two: size
Choose a carcass proportionate to your oven. This recommendation most often applies to larger birds - goose, turkey. But sometimes there are small ovens. In this case, the carcass will be located very close to the heating element.
As a result, the part closest to it burns, and the sides remain pale. Choose a chicken so that it is located at least 10 cm, and preferably 15 cm from the heating element.
Secret three: cooking on the grill
There are several baking options. To get an even crust on all sides, it is best to place the carcass on the grill and put a baking sheet underneath to catch the juice.
Note: if you put potatoes or other vegetables on the baking sheet, a delicious side dish will be prepared at the same time.
When baking in a dish, a golden crispy crust forms only where the meat does not touch the surface of the dish.
And most importantly: before baking, the chicken needs to be brushed with one of the products that give the meat a golden color.
Cooks grease with honey, a mixture of butter and turmeric infusion, or just butter. It is recommended to marinate the chicken a few hours before cooking, adding paprika, turmeric, and honey to the marinade. And to make the finished dish exude a pleasant aroma, do not forget about herbs and garlic. They can also be added to the marinade.
