How to Microwave Chicken Breasts
If you’re looking for a fast and excellent way to cook chicken, look no further than your microwave. Yes — really! Compared to cooking chicken on the stovetop or in the oven, the microwave does the job much faster. Microwaving chicken breasts in an Anyday dish yields juicy, tender chicken. Anyday's lid traps steam and keeps chicken juicy as it cooks in the microwave. When using an Anyday dish, chicken breast takes about 7 to 11 minutes (depending on how many breasts) to fully cook in the microwave. By comparison, chicken breasts can take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook on the stove, and between 30 to 40 minutes in the oven.
Microwaved chicken breasts are excellent toppings for salads, pasta, sandwiches and more. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken has a safe internal temperature before serving.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, each about 8 oz. (250 g)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions:
Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
Place the chicken in one layer in an Anyday Shallow Dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
Cook in a 1000-watt microwave at Power Level 5 for 14 to 16 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serves 2.
Serving suggestions:
Make a big batch of chicken breast and use it in your meals all week!
Simple tonkatsu: Dice chicken into medium-sized pieces and mix with a sauce of ketchup, rice vinegar and soy sauce. Serve over rice garnished with thinly sliced scallions.
Fajitas: Shred and season with chipotles in adobo, chopped cilantro and lime juice. Enjoy over a black bean and rice bowl.
Parmesan: Spoon tomato sauce over the chicken and sprinkle generously with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese. Melt cheese in a hot oven or in the microwave.
Salad topper: Slice or dice and top a dressed salad.
Chicken salad: Shred the cooked chicken and mix with mayo or sour cream, chopped parsley, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper. Serve as a sandwich or on lettuce wraps.
Taco filling: Shred the chicken and season with taco seasoning. Top the tacos with tomato, avocado and cilantro.
Chicken alfredo: Shred or dice the chicken, mix with Alfredo sauce and some thawed peas and enjoy over pasta or rice.
Notes:
• If the chicken breast is very thick, cut in half before cooking.
• For the most even cooking, flip the chicken halfway through the cook time.
• When chicken breast cooks in the microwave, the chicken will naturally release juices into the bottom of the dish. This broth can be used to cook grains, stir into soups or start a quick sauce. We think of it as a bonus!
• The lid on your Anyday dish may lift up gently on one side while cooking chicken — this is perfectly fine and normal. This happens because steam pressure has built up inside the dish. To prevent this, you can also lower the power level and add more cook time, which will allow the chicken to cook more gently.
• For cooking frozen chicken breasts, add 1 tablespoon of water per chicken breast to boost the steam. Add 5 to 6 more minutes than the time listed in the recipe above, or until it is cooked through.
• We recommend using an Anyday Shallow Dish for cooking proteins. If using an Anyday Deep Dish, you may need to add more cooking time.
• Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Recipe courtesy of Anyday
