Chicken Stewing Tricks to Keep It Tender and Not Shrink, Save Water!

Kapanlagi.com - Stewing is one of the very popular cooking techniques for processing chicken meat, producing delicious, savory, and tender dishes. This technique is generally done before the chicken is fried or grilled, with the aim of ensuring that the meat is perfectly cooked and the spices are maximally absorbed.

However, even though the spices are absorbed, the stewing process, which is usually done by boiling the chicken in a lot of water, carries the risk of causing the chicken meat to shrink, dry out, and become tough when further processed.

To address this, the Instagram account @masayudaily shared a trick for stewing chicken that is different from the usual. In a viral video with more than 30 thousand viewers, Desy Ayu Channel demonstrates how to stew chicken to keep it tender, soft, and not shrink.

Here are the steps for the chicken stewing trick from @masayudaily that you can try.

1. Preparation of Ingredients

Choose chicken pieces according to your preference, whether it's free-range chicken or broiler chicken. For convenience, you can use instant marinade spices. However, if you want a more distinctive flavor, making your own seasoning with spices such as garlic, coriander, turmeric, and salt will provide a more personal taste. Use a little oil to make the simmering process easier, and be sure to use a non-stick pan to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and the spices are absorbed perfectly.

2. Preparation of Chicken

Cut the chicken as desired—whether it be thighs, breasts, or wings—and make sure the chicken is washed thoroughly to remove dirt and fishy odors. This is important to maintain the quality of the chicken's flavor.

3. Marinade

Arrange the chicken pieces neatly on the non-stick pan so that they are easy to stir and the spices can be absorbed well. Use instant marinade spices or your own blend mentioned earlier. Oil will help the spices adhere better and penetrate deeper into the chicken meat. Make sure all parts of the chicken are evenly coated with spices, and use your hands or cooking utensils to spread it evenly.

4. Stewing Process

Use a low flame to ensure the chicken cooks slowly and the spices infuse without burning. Covering the pan with a Teflon lid will help retain heat and steam inside, allowing the chicken to cook evenly. Turn the chicken every few minutes so that all sides cook well and the spices are perfectly absorbed.

5. Final Stage

After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and check the chicken to ensure the meat is cooked through. The stewed chicken is tender enough and can be directly fried or grilled to achieve a crispy texture on the outside. If you do not want to fry it, the stewed chicken can also be eaten right away.

With this technique, you do not need to worry about the chicken becoming dry or tough. The chicken meat will remain tender, the spices will be well absorbed, and the texture will not shrink.

6. Chicken Storage

If the chicken is not cooked immediately, it is best to store raw chicken in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4°C. Raw chicken can be cooked within 1–2 days or can be frozen at a temperature of -18°C. Meanwhile, cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or frozen for longer storage. Properly frozen chicken remains safe to consume for a long time.

Ungkep chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to one month if kept tightly in an airtight container and at a temperature of -20°C.

7. What is the Difference Between Marinating and Ungkep?

Marinating is the process of seasoning chicken meat and letting it soak for several hours or overnight. Meanwhile, ungkep is a cooking technique that uses heat to help the spices penetrate deeper into the chicken meat, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

With the right ungkep technique, you can enjoy tender, savory chicken with perfectly infused spices without worrying about the chicken meat becoming dry or tough.

(kpl/rmt)