As of 2007, Americans consumed an average of 86.5 lbs. of poultry per person, according to the American Meat Institute. Chicken is currently the most popular form of meat, and its consumption has more than doubled since the 1970s. It's no wonder that with all the chicken being consumed, you'd want to add variety to your meal plan and cook chicken breasts in a number of different ways.
Baking
Baking chicken breasts is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to prepare the meat. Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or the temperature suggested by your recipe, place your chicken breasts in a pan or casserole dish, season them accordingly and bake for the designated amount of time. Some recipes suggest you cover the chicken breasts, while others require that you leave them uncovered.
Grilling
For a flavorful summer meal, consider barbecuing chicken breasts over a charcoal or gas flame. You'll typically want to season the meat and allow the flames to heat up before placing the chicken on the grill. Because the outside of the chicken will cook faster than the inside, you'll want to use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Stir-frying
If you're craving an Asian twist to your chicken dish, try stir-frying your meat. You'll want to heat a small amount of oil in a pan or a wok before placing small cubes or pieces of chicken breast into the dish. Stir and toss the chicken around in the pan as it cooks quickly through. You can then add vegetables, seasonings and the sauce of your choice.
Poaching
When you poach a meat, you immerse it in a flavorful liquid as it cooks through. When poaching chicken breast, choose a liquid like chicken broth, white wine, fruit juice or vinegar. Place the liquid in a deep pan or pot large enough to hold the chicken breasts you want to cook. Submerge the chicken into the liquid and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat until the meat is cooked through.
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