Steaming Chicken: How Long Does It Take?

Steaming is a great way to cook chicken, retaining its flavour, tenderness, and moisture without the need for additional fat. It's a versatile cooking method that can be used for boneless chicken breasts and small whole birds. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, as well as the type of steamer being used. As a general rule, boneless chicken breasts typically take around 10-15 minutes, while bone-in pieces may require 20-30 minutes. In this article, we will explore the steps to cooking chicken in a steamer, including preparation, seasoning, and cooking techniques, to ensure perfectly moist and tender chicken every time.

Chicken preparation

Steaming is a great way to cook chicken, retaining its flavour, tenderness, and moisture. It is a healthy cooking method as no additional fat is used.

Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken

Start by ensuring your chicken pieces are cleaned and trimmed of any excess fat. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture, allowing the seasonings to adhere better.

Step 2: Season Your Chicken

Season the chicken with your desired seasonings. You can opt for a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with a mix of herbs and spices. Rub the seasonings all over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. You can also marinate the chicken before steaming to add extra flavour. If you have time, sprinkle the chicken with salt a day before to let the flavour soak in and make the meat more tender.

Step 3: Set Up Your Steamer

Fill the base of your steamer with water, following the manufacturer's instructions. If using a traditional steamer, fill the steamer pot half-full of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. You can add aromatics, such as lemongrass, or other flavourings to the water to infuse the chicken with extra flavour. Place a steamer basket into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer.

Step 4: Arrange the Chicken

Place the chicken in the steamer in a single layer, leaving a little room around the pieces. This allows the steam to circulate freely, cooking the meat at an even rate. Ensure the chicken pieces are spread out evenly, allowing room for the steam to circulate around each piece.

Step 5: Steam the Chicken

Cover the steamer with its lid to create a sealed cooking environment. This will help to trap the steam and cook the chicken evenly.

Step 6: Cooking Time

The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. As a general guideline, boneless chicken breasts typically take about 15-20 minutes, while bone-in pieces may require around 25-30 minutes. The chicken is done when the juices run clear. It is important to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74-75°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

After the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist and succulent chicken. Your perfectly steamed chicken is now ready to be served! You can pair it with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad.

Seasoning

Firstly, decide on the type of flavours you want to impart. A simple combination of salt and black pepper is a classic choice and will provide a good base level of seasoning. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to create more complex flavours. For example, a sprig of thyme, some red chilli flakes, and lemon zest will give your chicken a tangy, spicy kick. Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, sage, or oregano can also be used to add an aromatic, earthy taste.

Secondly, the timing of your seasoning can vary depending on the recipe and the desired result. Some recipes suggest sprinkling salt on the chicken a day before cooking to tenderise the meat and allow the flavours to soak in. Others recommend seasoning just before cooking, ensuring the chicken is well-coated in the chosen spices and herbs.

Finally, consider adding extra ingredients to the steaming water to infuse the chicken with additional flavours. This could include onions, carrots, celery, ginger, or aromatics like lemongrass. These ingredients will add depth and character to your dish, enhancing the flavours of the chicken.

Remember, seasoning is a creative process, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs, spices, and ingredients to find the flavours that you enjoy the most.

Steamer setup

To set up your steamer, first, prepare your chicken by trimming any excess fat and patting the meat dry with a paper towel. This will help your seasonings adhere better.

Next, season the chicken with your desired combination of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. You can opt for a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with a mix of herbs and spices. Rub the seasonings all over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. If you have the time, you can also try marinating the chicken in salt a day in advance or for at least 30 minutes. This will make the meat more tender and allow the flavours to penetrate.

Now, it's time to fill the base of your steamer with water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of water required. If you want to infuse your chicken with extra flavour, you can add aromatics, such as lemongrass, to the water. Place the steamer basket or rack on top of the water, ensuring it is stable and secure.

When your steamer is ready, arrange the seasoned chicken on the steamer basket or rack. Make sure the chicken pieces are spread out evenly, allowing room for the steam to circulate around each piece. This will ensure even cooking.

Cover the steamer with its lid to create a sealed cooking environment. This will help trap the steam and cook the chicken evenly.

Cooking time

The cooking time for chicken in a steamer will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, as well as the type of steamer being used. As a general rule, boneless chicken breasts will take less time to cook than bone-in pieces.

When using a traditional steamer that fits on top of a saucepan, it is recommended to fill the steamer pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Place the chicken in the steamer, ensuring that the pieces are in a single layer with a little room around them for the steam to circulate. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

If using a rack or tray in the bottom of a large pot, add at least one inch of water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Place the chicken in a heatproof dish on the rack and ensure that the water is not boiling up over the dish. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

For larger pieces of chicken, such as bone-in breasts or thighs, steaming time may be extended to 25-30 minutes. It is important to ensure that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer can be used to check for doneness.

When steaming chicken, it is essential to avoid removing the cover from the pot, as this will allow heat and steam to escape, resulting in longer cooking times.

Additionally, making a few cuts on the top and bottom surfaces of the chicken can help the heat penetrate more evenly during cooking. This is especially useful for thicker pieces of chicken.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve steamed chicken, and it is a very popular dish in Southeast and Southern Asian cuisine.

In China, steamed chicken is often served with a dipping sauce, such as an oyster-based sauce. In Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, the chicken is often served directly, as the steaming preserves the natural taste of a high-quality chicken.

In Southeast Asia, steamed chicken is often served with chicken rice. It is also common to serve the chicken with a sauce, such as an onion or soy-based sauce, ladled over the top. This can be accompanied by a bowl of fragrant rice.

Steamed chicken can also be served with a variety of side dishes. This includes steamed vegetables, rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad. The chicken can also be incorporated into stir-fries, wraps, or sandwiches for a versatile and healthy meal.

If you want to add extra flavour to your steamed chicken, you can marinate it before steaming. This can be done by covering the chicken with salt before steaming, or by adding aromatics, such as lemongrass, to the boiling water.

Frequently asked questions