How to Cook and Hold Chicken without Losing Moisture

Catering Food Warmer

As one of the most perennially popular white means, chicken is often the go-to choice for catering a large event. If you plan to cook and hold chicken in large amounts, however, you will want to consider whether or not you can do so while ensuring that the chicken does not dry out in the process. 

This is not always a simple as it sounds, however. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take toward preventing your chicken from drying out.

Begin with a Brine

Although this is an extra step, it's an important one that should not be skipped, especially if you plan to cook and hold your chicken. 

When you brine chicken, you're essentially installing a failsafe on your dish. You have more wiggle room to cook the bird without it becoming dry after one minute too long in the oven, and you have creative control over the flavors you'd like to lend to the entire muscle meat of your chicken, not just what you're seasoning it with right before cooking. (40 Aprons)

Moist, tender, and juicy chicken is hard enough when you're not planning to hold the dish before serving it. Fortunately, a good brine gives you a bit more wiggle room. 

Consider the Cut

While white meat cuts are often people's default choice when it comes to chicken, they are among the most difficult to keep moist and succulent. To that end, consider cooking with dark meat cuts, such as thighs. Dark meat not only stays moist longer: it also has darker, richer flavors. 

Select the Best Recipe

All recipes are not created equal. Some are designed to be served immediately from the oven, while others lend themselves more easily to cooking and holding. Chicken breasts that are cooked and served solo tend not to fare as well as those served in some sort of sauce, like this Baked Chicken with Roasted Tomatillo Cream Sauce. Take some time, do your research, and choose wisely. 

We Can Help

Here at Thermodyne Foodservice Products, Inc., we care about the quality of your foodservice and catering efforts. Whether you plan to serve chicken or some other dish, we want to help you make it the best it can be.

That's why we provide premium equipment for commercial, industrial, and institutional kitchens.

If you would like to hear more about our product lines, or if you have questions about anything else, please feel free to contact us at any time.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

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Posted in: Cooking Tips & Recipes