For my first week of cooking, I wanted to start with something simple that did not require a ton of ingredients. One of the aspects of cooking that overwhelms me the most is having to make grocery lists and buy a basket of new ingredients for just a single dish. While I might get there eventually, I wanted to ease myself into things. Thus, I decided that mastering the art of cooking a chicken breast was a good place to start my cooking journey.
I’ve “cooked” chicken breasts several times before, but they have never turned out very amazing. Prior to this week, I cooked chicken breasts by thawing them quickly in the microwave, adding a random assortment of spices to it, and putting it straight into the air fryer. If I felt fancy, I would add a bit of lemon juice. My goal this week was to learn how to properly cook a chicken breast and not dry it out.
To learn how to do this, I ran to my go-to app when I need help with something: TikTok. I quickly found two really helpful videos showing in simple steps how to make really great chicken breasts. I decided that I would combine knowledge from both of the videos as I cooked.
@kellyscleankitchen How to make the best chicken breast #chickenbreast #chicken #cooking
@costcokitchen Say good-bye to dry chicken breast 👋 More detailed instructions are available on my website. (link is in my profile) #chickenbreast #howtocookchickenbreast #cookingtips #cookingbasics
I actually enjoyed the cooking process more than I was expecting to. The TikTok videos were easy to follow and cooking the chicken breasts didn’t take too long. The chicken breasts turned out moist and very tasty. They tasted far better than they did when I had cooked them in the air fryer. I would say that learning how to cook something from TikTok videos was a success and something I will try again in the future. I am thinking that next week I would like to add some sort of pasta to go alongside the chicken breast.
Hi Aili!
Cooking is such a smart idea for this project! It is an extremely important skill that you will be using for the rest of your life. Your end product looks delicious! Cooking chicken is something that I always get so nervous to do, so I will definitely be using this as a way to help me out!
I agree when you say that the overwhelming part of cooking is getting groceries and such. I LOVE that you used TikTok, that platform has so many ideas. I have been saving some baked oats recipes from TikTok! Excited to see what is coming next! That chicken looks so good, and juicy!
Hey Aili! I have some of the same issues with chicken. I’ve been experimenting for a few months now on how to get it to taste better with different flavours. I tend to prep my chicken a few days in advance. I let it thaw for one day, then score it and let it marinate for a day or two. Then I’ll decide whether I fry it or bake it. It can take some time, and I’m glad to see that already you’re happier with your results. Good luck on your journey!
Your decision to start with a simple, foundational skill is an excellent way to build confidence in cooking. Acknowledging your past challenges and actively seeking solutions shows great self-awareness and determination. As you refine your chicken breast technique, consider experimenting with marinades or brining to enhance flavor and texture. Keep documenting your progress—it’s inspiring to see how small steps lead to big improvements!
So happy to hear your chicken turned out well! I agree that there is nothing worse that dry chicken and I am always looking for different spices to mix together to try. I’ve never tried cooking chicken breast in the air fryer I am curious if you can find a way to still do this without drying it out!