Steaming Chicken: How Long For Tender, Juicy Meat?

Steaming is a great way to cook chicken breast, keeping it juicy and tender. It's a versatile cooking method, producing chicken that can be used in salads, wraps, sandwiches, or served as is. The length of time it takes to cook chicken breast in an electric steamer varies depending on the recipe and size of the chicken breast, but it typically takes around 15-30 minutes.

Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Electric Steamer

Steaming chicken in white wine, sake, or water

Steaming chicken is a popular method of cooking in some parts of the world, and it can be done using various liquids such as water, wine, or sake. Here is a guide on how to steam chicken in an electric steamer using white wine, sake, or water:

White Wine Steamed Chicken

Steaming chicken in white wine is a great way to infuse flavour into the meat. For this method, you will need the following ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Flour
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay)
• Chicken broth
• Herbs de Provence
• Heavy cream
• Fresh parsley (optional)

First, cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner cutlets. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then dredge them in flour. Add olive oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. Next, add white wine and chicken broth to the pan and let it bubble for about a minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the remaining butter and Herbs de Provence, and simmer for another 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan, along with the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Sake Steamed Chicken

Sake-steamed chicken is a Japanese-inspired dish that is both healthy and delicious. To make this, you will need:

• A whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
• Soy sauce
• Orange juice
• Rice vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Mirin or sweet sherry
• Ginger root
• Garlic
• Scallions
• Sesame seeds
• Water

Begin by placing a steamer basket at the bottom of a large stockpot. Pour in equal amounts of sake and water, ensuring that the liquid reaches the bottom of the steamer basket. Generously salt the chicken inside and out, then place it breast-side up in the steamer basket. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and steam for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a knife. Turn off the heat and let the chicken cool for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by whisking together the soy sauce, orange juice, rice vinegar, lemon juice, mirin, ginger, and garlic. Remove the chicken from the pot, carve it into pieces, and arrange them on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve the extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Water Steamed Chicken

Water-steamed chicken is a simple and healthy way to cook chicken. This method is popular in Southeast Asian countries and is typically served with chicken rice. The ingredients you will need are:

• Skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Light soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Cilantro

Start by placing the chicken and salt in a bowl, rubbing the salt into the chicken. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then, place a steamer basket into a saucepan and fill it with water just below the bottom of the steamer. Rinse the chicken and put it into the basket. Bring the water to a boil, cover, and steam the chicken for about 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear. In a separate skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, then mix in garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, then remove from the heat. Spoon the sauce over the steamed chicken and garnish with cilantro before serving.

How long to steam chicken for

Steaming chicken is a great way to cook the meat without drying it out, and it can be used in salads, wraps, sandwiches, or just eaten as it is. The length of time you should steam chicken for depends on a few factors, such as the size of the chicken breasts and whether you have cut into them, but it usually takes between 5 and 30 minutes.

Firstly, prepare your chicken. If you have time, it is recommended to season the chicken with salt a day in advance, as this will make the meat more tender and allow the flavour to soak in. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic, chilli flakes, lemon zest, thyme, or olive oil. If you are using olive oil, this will add flavour and stop the outside of the chicken from getting tough.

Next, set up your steamer. Fill it with around an inch of water and place it over medium-high heat. You can also add wine, sake, or onion to the water for additional flavour. Place your chicken in the steamer basket and put the basket over the water. Cover with a lid and let the chicken steam.

For smaller chicken breasts, steaming for 5-10 minutes should be enough. You can check if the chicken is cooked by cutting into the thickest part. If it is still too pink, cover and let it sit for a few more minutes. For larger breasts, you may need to steam for up to 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, you will need to decide if you want to season your chicken breast before steaming it. If you want to add some flavour, you can sprinkle salt over the chicken and leave it to tenderise for 30 minutes to a day before cooking. You can also add other seasonings like pepper, garlic, chilli flakes, lemon zest, and thyme. Olive oil will also add flavour and stop the outside of the chicken from getting tough.

If you are using an electric steamer, fill it with one inch of water and place it over medium-high heat. If you are using a saucepan, fill it with water to just below the steamer basket and bring it to a boil.

Once your steamer is ready, you can place the chicken inside. If you have cut slices into the chicken to ensure even cooking, place it skin-side down. If you are adding wine, sake, or water, pour this in now.

Cover the steamer and follow the steaming instructions below.

Steaming the Chicken

If you are using an electric steamer, place the basket over the water and cover with a lid. Allow the chicken to steam for 5 to 10 minutes or until cooked through. If you are using a saucepan, cover and steam the chicken for around 30 minutes or until the juices run clear.

Steaming the chicken

Now that your steamer is set up and your chicken is prepared, it's time to start steaming. Place the chicken breasts into the steamer basket. If you're using an electric steamer, select the steaming mode. For a stovetop steamer, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, place the steamer basket in the pot, ensuring it is above the water level. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam inside.

Let the chicken steam for 5 to 10 minutes for smaller pieces or 15 to 30 minutes for larger breasts, or until the juices run clear. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts, so it's important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook. You can also cut into the thickest part of the breast to check if it's cooked through; if it's still too pink, simply steam for a few more minutes.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the steamer and plate it. You can now season the chicken with some freshly ground black pepper if desired. Your steamed chicken is now ready to be served! Consider serving it with steamed vegetables or rice for a delicious and healthy meal.

If you're looking for a more flavourful option, you can also try steaming the chicken in white wine, sake, or water. Briefly steaming the chicken in these liquids and then letting the residual heat slowly cook the meat will help prevent it from drying out. You can also try adding spices and herbs like garlic, thyme, or red chilli flakes to the steamer for an extra kick of flavour.

Serving suggestions

Steamed chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany your steamed chicken breast:

Salads

A great keto-friendly option is to place your steamed chicken on top of a salad. This can be a simple bed of leafy greens, or you can add in other vegetables, nuts, seeds, or fruits of your choice. For example, you could make a chicken and avocado salad with a herb dressing.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Another option is to slice or shred your steamed chicken and use it as a filling for wraps and sandwiches. You can experiment with different sauces, spreads, and vegetables to create a variety of sandwiches and wraps with your steamed chicken.

Rice Bowl

Steamed chicken is often served with rice in Southeast Asian countries. You can create a rice bowl with steamed chicken and top it with a sauce or garnish of your choice. For example, you could use a soy sauce and sesame oil mixture, or a herb sauce.

Sides

If you're looking for side dishes to accompany your steamed chicken, you can try steamed vegetables such as kale or baby potatoes.

Dips

You can also serve your steamed chicken with a dip on the side. For example, an avocado dip or a herb sauce would pair well with the chicken.

Leftovers

If you have any leftover steamed chicken, you can store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days. You can use the leftover chicken in salads, sandwiches, or wraps, or simply reheat it and serve it as-is with a side of your choice.

Frequently asked questions