Microwaving Chicken: Safe To Steam?

Yes, you can cook chicken in a microwave steamer. It is a quick and easy way to cook chicken, and it will result in juicy and tender meat. The cooking time depends on the number of chicken breasts and the wattage of your microwave. For example, two chicken breasts in a 1500-watt microwave will take about 8-12 minutes. The ideal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.

Chicken breast in the microwave

Microwaving chicken breast is a quick and easy way to cook chicken that yields juicy, tender results. It is a versatile method, allowing you to shred, chop, or cut the chicken as desired for use in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches.

What You Need

You will need:

• Chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice
• Water
• A meat thermometer
• A microwave-safe dish with a lid, such as a glass pie plate or a casserole dish

Step-by-Step Guide

• Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them between two sheets of wax paper to ensure they are of even thickness. This helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
• Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.
• Place the chicken breasts in a microwave-safe dish, arranging them with the thicker portions towards the outside of the dish. The sides of the chicken can touch.
• Add water to the dish until it reaches about 1/3 of the way up the chicken breasts. This water will create a steam bath, helping to cook and poach the chicken.
• Cover the dish with a single sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, fold back one corner to vent the steam.
• Microwave on high for about 4-5 minutes per chicken breast. The exact timing will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts and the number of breasts in the dish. For two chicken breasts, expect a cooking time of about 8-12 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts with a meat thermometer. The safe temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the microwave and let it rest for a few minutes before serving or shredding/chopping.

Tips

• If you are using plastic wrap, be careful of the escaping steam when removing it from the dish to avoid burns.
• You can freeze or refrigerate cooked chicken breasts for later use.
• Pierce the surface of the chicken with a fork before cooking to reduce popping noises.
• For thicker chicken breasts, cut them in half before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• The juices released by the chicken during cooking can be used as a broth for soups or sauces.

Serving Suggestions

Microwaved chicken breast is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Simple Tonkatsu: Dice the chicken and mix with a sauce of ketchup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Serve over rice garnished with scallions.
• Fajitas: Shred the chicken and season with chipotle adobo, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Serve over a black bean and rice bowl.
• Parmesan: Spoon tomato sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with parmesan or mozzarella cheese. Melt the cheese in the microwave or a hot oven.
• Creamy Pasta: Mix the chicken with alfredo sauce or cream of mushroom soup and serve over cooked egg noodles or biscuits.
• Salad Topper: Slice or dice the chicken and use it to top a dressed salad.
• Chicken Salad: Shred the chicken and mix with mayo or sour cream, chopped parsley, lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper. Serve as a sandwich or on lettuce wraps.
• Tacos: Shred the chicken and season with taco seasoning. Top the tacos with tomato, avocado, and cilantro.
• Chicken Alfredo: Shred or dice the chicken and mix with alfredo sauce and thawed peas. Serve over pasta or rice.

How to steam chicken

Yes, you can cook chicken in a microwave steamer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam chicken:

Preparing the Chicken

Start by placing your chicken breasts on a hard, clean surface. Cover them with wax paper and use a meat tenderizer to pound the breasts to an even thickness. This step ensures that your chicken cooks evenly and quickly in the microwave.

Seasoning

You can season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper or any other seasoning of your choice. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder to add extra flavour to your dish.

Using a Microwave-Safe Dish

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a microwave-safe dish. If you're cooking two chicken breasts, a 9x9" pan should be sufficient. Adjust the size of the dish according to the number of chicken breasts you're cooking, ensuring they fit comfortably in a single layer with a little space around each piece.

Adding Liquid

Add water, stock, or any other liquid of your choice to the dish. The liquid should reach approximately one-third of the way up the chicken breasts. This step is crucial as it creates a steam bath, helping to cook and poach the chicken perfectly.

Covering the Dish

Cover the dish with a single sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, it's important to leave a small vent by folding back one corner to release steam. This will prevent steam buildup and ensure your chicken cooks effectively.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Place the covered dish in the microwave and cook on high power. The cooking time will depend on the number and thickness of your chicken breasts. As a general rule, allow 4-5 minutes of cooking time per chicken breast. For two chicken breasts, the total cooking time will be around 8-10 minutes.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The safe temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to get an accurate reading.

Resting and Serving

Once the chicken reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the microwave and let it rest for a few minutes. Be cautious when removing the plastic wrap or wax paper, as steam will escape. After the chicken has rested, you can chop, shred, or slice it as per your preference.

Storage and Reheating

You can store cooked chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freeze it for later use. To freeze, wrap each chicken breast individually in unbleached parchment paper and store in freezer bags. When ready to eat, defrost in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

How long to microwave chicken

Yes, you can cook chicken in a microwave steamer. The cooking time will depend on the number of chicken breasts you are preparing, the wattage of your microwave, and the thickness of the chicken breasts.

Preparation

To begin, place your chicken breasts on a hard surface and cover them with wax paper. Use a meat tenderizer to pound the breasts to an even thickness. This will help the chicken cook more quickly and evenly.

Next, place the chicken in a dish. If you are cooking two breasts, a 9 x 9" pan should be sufficient. Add water, stock, or another liquid to the dish so that it comes about 1/3 of the way up the chicken breasts. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice.

Cover the dish with wax paper or plastic wrap to create a steam bath for the chicken. If using plastic wrap, be sure to leave a corner of the dish open to vent it.

Cooking

Now, you are ready to cook your chicken. Place the dish in the microwave and cook on high for about 4-5 minutes per chicken breast. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. For example, if you are cooking two chicken breasts in a 1500-watt microwave, the total cooking time will be about 8-12 minutes.

It is important to ensure that your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature. The recommended safe temperature for chicken is 165°F. To check the temperature, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the center of each chicken breast. Remove the chicken from the microwave when it reaches 160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise by about 5 degrees as it rests.

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the microwave. Be careful when removing the plastic wrap or wax paper, as steam will escape.

Once the chicken has rested, you can chop, shred, or slice it as desired.

How to shred chicken

Using Your Hands

Place the chicken on a clean surface, like a cutting board or plate, and use your hands to pull the meat apart into even pieces until it is shredded into the desired-sized pieces. This method is recommended for all types of chicken, including whole roasted chicken, cooked chicken breasts or thighs, and even cooked chicken drumsticks.

Using Two Forks

Place your warm, cooked chicken on a sturdy cutting board and put two forks in the centre of the breast. Pull the meat apart into pieces, continuing until you have the desired size of shreds. This method is also great for all types of chicken if you want to keep things a little cleaner.

Using a Hand Mixer

Place the cooked chicken in a deep bowl and use a hand mixer on low speed to carefully break the meat apart into shreds. You may need to shred larger pieces by hand as you go to get nice, even shreds of chicken. This method is recommended for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

Using a Stand Mixer

Place the cooked chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment, turn the stand mixer on low, and let the machine do the shredding for you. This should only take around 15-20 seconds. This method is also recommended for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

Tips

• If you are shredding cooked, bone-in chicken, using your hands is the best method to feel around and avoid the bones.
• One pound of cooked, boneless chicken (breasts or thighs) will make about 2 ½ cups of shredded chicken.
• You can store shredded chicken in airtight containers or resealable bags for up to 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Chicken steamer recipes

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming. Here are some recipes and methods for cooking chicken in a microwave steamer:

Microwave Steamed Chicken Breasts

Microwaving chicken breasts is a quick and easy way to cook them, and they can be used in a variety of dishes. Here's a simple method:

• Place the desired number of chicken breasts on a hard surface and cover with wax paper.
• Use a meat tenderizer to pound the breasts to an even thickness; this helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
• Place the chicken breasts in a dish suitable for the microwave. Add water to the dish so that it reaches about 1/3 of the way up the chicken breasts.
• Cover the dish with wax paper or plastic wrap to create a steam bath.
• Microwave on high for about 4-5 minutes per chicken breast. The time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, as well as the number of breasts in the dish.
• Check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before removing the plastic wrap and shredding or slicing the meat.

Microwave Poached Chicken Breasts

This is a similar method to the above but with some additional flavourings:

• Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and place them in a microwave-safe dish with the thicker portions facing the outside of the dish.
• Drizzle the chicken with chicken broth, or alternatively, mix orange juice, butter, pepper, and salt in the dish.
• Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
• Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, turning the dish after 4 minutes.
• Allow the chicken to stand for a few minutes before serving.

Asian-Style Steamed Chicken

This recipe uses a steamer basket placed in a saucepan of water, rather than a microwave, to steam the chicken:

• Rub salt into two skinless, boneless chicken breasts and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place the chicken in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for about 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and cook finely chopped onion until tender. Add finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Stir in light soy sauce and sesame oil, then remove from the heat.
• Spoon the sauce over the steamed chicken and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Sittin' Chicken Steamer

This is a method for cooking chicken in the oven or on the grill, using a ceramic beer can steamer:

• Fill the ceramic holder with beer, fruits, vegetables, sauces, or wine.
• Place a whole chicken over the steamer and cook until done.
• The steam created carries the flavour of the beverage or other added ingredients, infusing the chicken with moisture and flavour.
• The wide base of the steamer provides stability and prevents the chicken from falling over.
• Clean-up is easy, especially if you spray the steamer with non-stick cooking spray before use.

These recipes and methods provide a range of options for cooking chicken in a steamer, whether in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven/grill. Each method has its own benefits, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and cooking equipment.

Frequently asked questions