How To Bake Chicken

When planning a menu, chicken serves as a delicious, versatile and nutritious choice. Chicken can be prepared in a variety of ways but the easiest and healthiest way of cooking chicken, while keeping the goodness and tastiness intact, is to bake it. Chicken can be baked as a whole or in pieces such as breasts, thighs, legs and wings. Baked chicken is perfect for all kinds of occasions and can convert the simple chicken to an irresistible treat. A coating is applied to the chicken before baking it. There are different coatings such as a mixture of herbs, breadcrumbs and sauces. The chicken can also be combined with potatoes and vegetables while baking. Read through the following lines to know how to bake chicken.

Baking Chicken

Ingredients:

2 to 3 lb Chicken (cut into pieces)
Salt
Pepper
Dried or Fresh Herbs such as Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme or Oregano
Marinade (optional)
Lemon Juice (optional)
Olive Oil or Non-stick Cooking Spray

Equipment:

Roasting Pan
Meat Thermometer

Prepare the chicken for the oven

Wash the chicken and pat dry it.
In case you are using a marinade, marinate the chicken and keep it aside overnight. The best marinade is an Italian dressing.
Place the chicken in a shallow bowl and pour the Italian dressing over the chicken.
Cover it tightly and keep in the refrigerator to marinate.

Getting ready to cook

Preheat the oven to 350 °F
Coat the roasting pan with olive oil or spray it with non-sticking cooking spray.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in the roasting pan with the skin side up.
Sprinkle salt, pepper and herbs as per your taste.
You can add lemon juice on top of the chicken to enhance the flavor.
If using a marinade, do not season the chicken as much.

Cooking the chicken

Place the chicken uncovered in the oven and bake for 50 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer and ascertain the temperature to check whether the chicken is done.
In case you are baking chicken breasts, the temperature should be 170 °F and for thighs, the temperature should read 180 °F.
Be sure to insert the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken.

Ensure that your chicken is ready to eat

Do not eat pink chicken which is uncooked.
To check whether the chicken is fully cooked or not, cut through the thickest part of the chicken using a knife.
If the meat is not pink and the juices run clear, chicken is ready.
If the juice oozing out of the meat is red, it needs to be baked further.
Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve and enjoy great tasting chicken.

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