Skip to content

By: Foster Farms

The Foster Farms team develops, discovers, and does research on recipes and products to bring our community the best of the best. We aim to bring helpful, diverse, inspirational content to the table - inspiring you and your meals.

See a variety of ways to cook your chicken. With quick and convenient methods like the air fryer to slow cooking methods like braising. Understand the difference in the methods and see our top tips on safe chicken preparation.

What Ways Can You Prepare Chicken?

Below are some common ways to prepare chicken and their definitions. Always remember to use a food thermometer when preparing chicken. Color and texture are unreliable indicators of safety and a food thermometer is the best way to ensure an accurate read on the internal temperature of poultry.

  • Air Frying
    • A quick and easy method using an airtight method and convection currents circulated rapidly by a fan.
  • Baking
    • To cook by dry heat especially in an oven.
  • Boiling
    • To cook in boiling water. Often used when cooking soups, stews, broth, and stock.
  • Braising
    • To cook slowly in fat and a small amount of liquid in a closed pot. This method generally takes longer, but results in a tender and juicy chicken.
  • Deep Frying
    • Most commonly used when making breaded or coated chicken for a crispy texture. Common coatings include flour, panko, corn starch, potato starch, egg, and much more.
  • Grilling
    • A BBQ classic. Cooking chicken on the grill can give you an excellent char and smokey flavor.
  • Pan Frying
    • A common method of cooking chicken on the stove top. Versatile for various seasonings and marinades.
  • Poaching
    • To Cook in Simmering Liquid. Often done at a lower temperature than boiling with aromatics.
  • Pressure Cooking
    • An airtight method for quick cooking or preserving of foods by means of high temperature steam under pressure.
  • Roasting
    • To cook by exposing to dry heat (as in an oven or before a fire) or by surrounding with hot embers, sand, or stones. Roasting is typically done at a higher temperature than traditional baking.
  • Smoking
    • To cure or flavor by exposure to smoke. Giving your chicken a smokey and delicious smell and flavor.

What Temperature Should Chicken Be Cooked Until?

Always cook chicken to a safe internal temperature of at least 165°F for boneless chicken and 180° F for bone-in chicken. Alway use a meat thermometer to determine the temperature. Do not rely solely on suggested cooking times. Cooking appliances vary in temperature and cooking times are a guide only. See our Internal Temperature Guide for more information.

See our Foster Farms chicken products to find the perfect free range chicken products for you.

Should I Marinate Inside of the Refrigerator?

The FDA recommends to always marinate food in the refrigerator.

Do I Need to Use a Food Thermometer?

It is recommended to use a food thermometer to reach an internal temperature of 165° F for boneless chicken and 180° F for bone-in chicken. Using a food thermometer is the only way to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products for all cooking methods. These foods must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria.

Do I Rinse Chicken Before Cooking?

Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.

What Other Steps Can I Take to Ensure Safe Chicken Preparation?

  • Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and surfaces used with raw chicken
  • Wearing disposable gloves
  • Using separate cutting boards for raw chicken and other foods
  • Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water.
  • Don’t reuse marinades used on raw foods unless brought to a minimum of 165°F.
  • Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water.
  • Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling pets.
  • Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.
  • Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, launder them often in the hot cycle.

 

×
hot deals!

Sign up to save!

Go to the top of the pecking order with exclusive deals and coupons.