What makes cooked chicken chewy?
Fresh bought chicken, marinated for about 3-4 hours in fresh cream and spices when baked in the oven comes out as chewy at times. We have also tried marinating using yoghurt and changing the cooking time but its not as soft as it should be. What could we be doing wrong?
Best Answer
There are two main causes of chewiness in chicken when cooked this way:
- Overcooking. Overcooked chicken is chewy, possibly stringy, and dry.
- Dried out on the outside. Especially if the skin is removed, the outside may dry out (as well as overcook, even if the inside is not overcooked), leaving a leathery and unpleasant aspect to the chicken.
The solution for the first is not to overcook. Use an instant read thermometer to know when chicken is done (approximately 155-160 F for white meat, 165 F - 180 F depending on your preference for dark meat).
The solution to the second is to cover, either with the sauce or braising liquid, or aluminum foil or similar so that it cannot dry out.
Pictures about "What makes cooked chicken chewy?"
Quick Answer about "What makes cooked chicken chewy?"
Chicken might turn out too chewy if it was undercooked, overcooked, or left uncovered for too long. A muscle condition known as woody breast might also be to blame. For best results, cook white meat to 165 degrees and dark meat to 180 degrees, and start with locally sourced products whenever possible.Why is my chicken chewy and rubbery?
Overcooked chicken can have a rubbery texture because when the protein fibers are exposed to the heat for too long, they lose their elasticity. If you've ever overcooked a piece of chicken before, you'll know that it loses most of its moisture this way, too.More answers regarding what makes cooked chicken chewy?
Answer 2
Make sure you use a roasting rack to hold the chicken up over the pan. Otherwise, it will begin to release juices and then boil, rather than bake.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: laurent planson crequer, Lukas, Engin Akyurt, Artem Beliaikin