Cooking Chicken on the Stove
Chicken is a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet when you select lean cuts that have no visible fat. In addition to protein, chicken is also a source of essential minerals and vitamins including iron, niacin and selenium. Furthermore, fresh chicken has no sugars and is low in sodium. You can cook chicken a number of ways - including roasting or baking in the oven, grilling, boiling on the stove, pan-frying or sauteing. Try cooking chicken on the stove using vegetable oil can serve as the basis for a meal.
Using Frozen Chicken
If you are cooking chicken that is frozen, it is best to thaw the chicken prior to cooking to ensure thorough cooking and avoid health risks. Place the frozen chicken parts on a plate and rinse with cold water. Let sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of your chicken. The ice should have time to melt, making it easier to cook. Cooking times vary depending on the size of the chicken or if you are cooking pieces of the chicken, such as the breast or leg, versus a whole chicken. Cooking parts of the chicken on the stove is less time-consuming, decreasing the risk of not cooking through a whole chicken and ending up with undercooked meat.
Try Vegetable Oil
Place a medium or large frying pan on the stove that accommodates your chicken cuts. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil into the pan. Turn the oven burner on to medium heat. Tilt the pan back and forth slightly to let the oil disperse around the bottom of the pan.
Cook Chicken Thoroughly
Place chicken parts in the heated pan on the stove using tongs or a fork. Leave the chicken for at least 5 to 10 minutes to allow the heat to fully cook the meat. Turn chicken over in the pan with tongs to ensure that heat penetrates through both sides and to create a crispier crust.
Add Healthy Seasonings
Season to taste with herbs and spices such as basil, rosemary, or salt and pepper. After cooking for approximately 5 to 10 minutes on each side, cut through the chicken slightly with a knife to see if the interior is cooked and not pink or raw. Remove the chicken from the pan with tongs once it is fully cooked.
References
- RecipeTips.com: Chicken Cooking Tips
- "Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition, Fourth Edition"; Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.S.N.; 2005
- EveryDay Guide: How to Cook Frozen Chicken
- Living Second: Quickest Way To to Cook Chicken (From Frozen!)
Jennifer Andrews - J Andrews has a MScPT degree, as well as a Bachelor's of Kinesiology degree (BKIN). Her main interests are in health, wellness, mind/body ...
