moist cooked chicken for casseroles, salads, etc.
Letting chicken cook on a bed of vegetables helps keep chicken moist by adding steam. Cooking skin-on also promotes moist meat. From the USDA: "At home, immediately place chicken in a refrigerator that maintains 40 °F. Cook raw chicken within one or two days, or freeze at 0 °F. You can keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator three to four days or freeze it within that length of time."
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prep time
15 Min
cook time
1 Hr 30 Min
method
Bake
yield
4 - 6
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable trimmings
- 1/3 cup olive brine (optional)
- 3 or 4 pounds chicken thighs, legs and/or breasts
- as desired salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or other fat (optional)
How To Make moist cooked chicken for casseroles, salads, etc.
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Step 1Preheat oven to 400F.
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Step 2Spread a thick (ca. 1/2 inch) layer of raw vegetable trimmings on the bottom of the pot. Celery, carrots, onions, mushrooms and parsley stems, etc. are all suitable. They may be frozen or not.
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Step 3Optionally, add some brine from an olive jar.
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Step 4Put chicken pieces on top of the vegetables, skin-side up.
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Step 5Season chicken as desired with salt, pepper, and/or other seasoning. Optionally, drizzle with olive oil or other fat.
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Step 6Bake until an instant read thermometer reads 165F or 175F. Check temperature after first 30 minutes. Add baking time until desired temperature is reached. May be anywhere from 30 minutes to well over an hour depending on size of chicken parts, how tightly packed they are in the pan, and the oven. If smaller parts reach a high temperature before larger parts, set them aside before returning larger parts to the oven.
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Step 7Let chicken cool at room temperature until it is cool enough to be handled. Either go to next step immediately (preferred) or cover and refrigerate.
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Step 8Separate and reserve chicken meat for other recipes. Refrigerate or freeze.
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Step 9Reserve bones, skin, roast vegetables, pan drippings and pan fond (anything sticking to the roasting pan). This may be refrigerated or frozen and used as a base for stock.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Category:
Chicken
Ingredient:
Chicken
Diet:
Gluten-Free
Diet:
Dairy Free
Method:
Bake
Culture:
American
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