A man has gone viral after sharing his simple hack for cooking the perfect chicken breast every time – and all you need is one common kitchen ingredient
You’ll never have to endure dry chicken again with this clever trick.
Cooking chicken isn’t exactly rocket science. But whether you opt to roast it, grill it, or pop it in the air fryer, there’s always a chance that your chosen cooking method could result in the meat drying out.
When cooked just right, this versatile white meat can be succulent and tasty. However, the temptation to overcook it is real, especially given the well-known risks of undercooked chicken. This tendency to give it a good roasting can leave it parched and tough, so timing is crucial if you’re after the perfect cut of meat.
But there’s one thing you can do to up your chicken cooking game. According to a viral TikTok video, adding just one common kitchen ingredient to your marinade can make all the difference.
In a video shared by Keto Recipes, it was suggested that you can achieve the “juiciest chicken breast you’ve ever had” simply by following a few easy steps – including using one item we all have in our cupboards.
The video explained that you should begin by seasoning your chicken with your preferred herbs and spices to create a marinade that will help the meat retain some of its juice. The man in the clip specifically used “a few easy spices, yoghurt, and lemon juice” to make his chicken marinade.
But the secret ingredient was something you may not think to add to your chicken – baking soda. By adding “a tiny bit” of this common kitchen ingredient, he explained it helps to “loosen the fibres” of the chicken, ensuring a tender result once cooked.
Stressing on technique, he recommended cooking the chicken on medium heat with the lid on – three minutes on one side and seven after flipping. Emphasising further, he advised cooks to allow the bird a rest period of “five minutes” post-cooking for “perfect chicken every time”.
His caption spelled out the juicy promise: “These are the secrets to the juiciest chicken breasts you’ve ever had: baking soda, cooking with lid on, and letting it rest – these are practically dripping with juice, and they’re so good.”
The unusual yet simple trick of adding baking soda captivated commenters, with one insisting that “just a little goes a long way”. Enthusiastic feedback poured in, with one delighted foodie exclaiming: “Listen. LISTEN. It works, and it tastes amazing. Adjust the spices however you wish and it turns out PERFECTLY.”
Another added: “I tried it today and it was awesome. Never had juicy chicken like this before – thanks for sharing this recipe!” While a third shared: “The baking soda to tenderise with! I always forget that.”
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