Chicken Breasts are gross.

[z1ggy]

First before the rant, I'll just say, +10 internet points to the first person to post a picture of a chicken wearing a bikini, because I know that's where this will end up going anyway.

But.. back to it. I fecking hate chicken breasts. I have yet to find a way I like to cook them, other than molesting them with breadcrumbs and frying them, then poruing marinara all over it. Even on the grill with BBQ sauce, they just always seem to dry out. I'm very much into fitness and working out, etc.. Thus chicken is pretty much a staple in my life I've just accepted. I think today though, is my breaking point. I'm currently eating some rice and chicken breasts and I feel like I'd rather be forced to cut off my kid's own arm, than continue eating this. I also have 1 chicken THIGH, which is literally 100 times better tasting. Yes I know it's the fat content that tastes so good, BUT SRSLY how is this breast meat so dry and flavorless??? I season it, marinade it... Nope, the chicken breasts just says FU, I'm going to make you suffer for the next 10-15 mins while you try to cope with eating me.

ATOT, make me love chicken again.

 

[SketchMaster]

 

[Ns1]

ATOT, make me love chicken again.

find a really, really, really good yakitori joint that gets fresh daily chickens and get some medium rare chicken

otherwise you are correct that chicken breast sucks 90% of the time, and 100% of the time after being microwaved

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Are you getting the breasts that are injected with broth? Those stay juicier when cooked. And at my grocery store they are cheaper too.

 

[sdifox]

Don't overcook them. And don't get the giant ones. They have no chickenntaste whatsoever, only chemical taste.

 

[z1ggy]

The words rare and chicken should never be in the same sentence.

 

[z1ggy]

Are you getting the breasts that are injected with broth? Those stay juicier when cooked. And at my grocery store they are cheaper too.

Marinaded in individual packs.

 

[Svnla]

I am totally opposite with OP. I love the breasts the most, more than legs and thighs.

Popeyes spicy chicken breasts with dirty rice and cajun fries and cold Coke = yummy.

 

[z1ggy]

I am totally opposite with OP. I love the breasts the most, more than legs and thighs.

Popeyes spicy chicken breasts with dirty rice and cajun fries and cold Coke = yummy.

B/c it's fried. Anything fried tastes good. Which is why I said above, if you bread chicken breast and fry it, it's fine. I'm talking non breading, just slap a big ol breast on the pan or grill. It's nasstee.

 

[nakedfrog]

Even just plain marinated and baked, I like breasts more than other chicken bits.

 

[Ns1]

The words rare and chicken should never be in the same sentence.

this is true if you're talking about shitty USA CAFO chickens.

 

[purbeast0]

I made some chicken salad this week with chicken thighs instead of the usual chicken breasts. I like it with breasts more, the thighs are software and make it taste more mushy. The texture is just kinda nasty compared to using the breasts.

Chicken breasts are just harder to cook properly. It's easy to fuck them up and make them dry as hell.

 

[Paladin]

Don't settle for the default breasts in the butcher's cabinet in the grocery store, or even their packaged ones. They are often way too big, and full of chemicals and hormones. They turn out rubbery half the time. Get the individually vacuum packed Foster Farms (can get a big package for $2.99/lb at Costco), or usually 6 breasts in a package ($4.99/lb at my Vons),or organic free range.
Marinade if grilling
Get good baking recipes.

 

[z1ggy]

I made some chicken salad this week with chicken thighs instead of the usual chicken breasts. I like it with breasts more, the thighs are software and make it taste more mushy. The texture is just kinda nasty compared to using the breasts.

Chicken breasts are just harder to cook properly. It's easy to fuck them up and make them dry as hell.

Yeah and I put minimal effort into cooking. I go for more efficient/time effective meals, b/c I prep. Especially when I "bulk", I eat like 3500 cals some days if I have a big day, so I just toss meat and veg in a pan and put in oven or on stove top.

That's why I like steak. It's basically impossible to F up unless you burn it or bought a really bad cut.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

You're overcoooking them. Get a meat thermometer.

 

[SearchMaster]

Oh man, grilled chicken breasts seasoned with only salt and pepper are excellent. Maybe I just have boring tastes but when done just right, they are so so good.

For some reason my new (outdoor) grill does them perfectly. I still struggle with temperature control on other types of meat but it does chicken breasts like a boss.

 

[zinfamous]

Here's one thing I do with boneless, skinless breasts:

First, and you always have to do this with boneless breasts: flatten them. Put one in a ziplock bag, with a dash of water (prevents tearing), and beat the ever-loving shit out of it front the center the edges, on both sides, until it's universally flat. Say, heavy flat-bottom pan or actual meat hammer. You're goal is to make the meat uniform in thickness.

simple Adobo-ish marinade:

about 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup lemon/lime/orange juice (fresh squeezed), whatever your pleasure
1/5-1/4 cup cider vinegar
fresh garlic (smashed, diced)
salt (lots. serioulsy--lots), pepper, Mexican oregano (dried works really well)
chili flakes
fresh cilantro (I tend to smash them with my hands and shove them in the bag, layered between breasts)

Let that sit at RT for at least 3 hours or O/N in the fridge.

sear those fucker in a a generous portion of butter in a flaming skillet--fast and hot. You will want to make sure the chicken is close to RT (so let it sit out for several hours), and dab them dry with a paper towel. I add the cilantro and fresh diced shallots to the pan while this is happening.

That will fix your problems.

The other always win option is to go sous vide: really, the best way to prepare individual breasts, imo, especially bone-in.

 

[zinfamous]

The words rare and chicken should never be in the same sentence.

you'll change your tune once you try some sous vide chicken breasts. Once you know that you can safely eat properly pink chicken without any problems, you'll probably never go back.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Like a few people said above, you are over cooking them. They should be extremely juicy still if grilled properly. What do you think about the rotisserie chicken from Costco?

 

[ControlD]

We eat a lot of chicken at home. Here is a simple method I use and the whole family likes it. The chicken comes out moist as well which can be difficult with breasts.

Pour some olive oil in a bowl and add some minced garlic.
In another bowl mix together 2/3 cup bread crumbs and 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese. Add pepper and spices as you like.
Take the breasts and dip them in the oil and then coat with the bread crumb mixture.
Place the chicken in a baking dish.
Pour the rest of the bread crumb mixture over the chicken if you have any left.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Really easy, but it is almost like eating fried chicken without being terrible for you.

 

[96Firebird]

https://www.wegmans.com/products/meat/chicken/chicken/chicken-tenderloins.html

or

https://www.wegmans.com/products/meat/chicken/chicken/thin-sliced-chicken-cutlets.html

Throw them on a cookie sheet, salt and pepper, bake at 400°F until they look good. Use some sort of buffalo sauce to make it taste that much better.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Marinaded in individual packs.

I don't find marinating makes much of a difference with chicken breasts. Are they actually injected with the marinade? Otherwise it's no wonder they are dry.

 

[gorcorps]

Salt + pepper + drizzle of olive oil and into the oven @ 350 or so

If your chicken comes out of the oven dry you're an idiot and need to buy a meat thermometer

Juiciest chicken breast comes out of the oven.

 

[Iron Woode]

I eat chicken breasts every once in a while. I usually bake them. Dip them in ranch dressing and then roll them in some light Italian bread crumbs and bake them.

turns out great if you don't over cook them.

 

[Humpy]