Greasing Pans: Chicken Edition

Greasing a pan is an important step in the cooking process to ensure that your chicken doesn't stick to the sides of the pan. There are several ways to grease a pan, including using butter, oil, cooking spray, or even bacon fat. When greasing a non-stick pan, it's important to make sure that the fat adheres to the pan and not the food itself. This can be achieved by rubbing a small amount of butter or oil directly onto the pan before putting it on the heat. For an aluminium pan, it is recommended to use oil as the pan can hold more heat than most pans, which may cause the chicken to stick.

Greasing a Pan for Chicken

Using butter or oil to grease a pan

Greasing a pan is essential to prevent food from sticking. The two most common types of cooking grease are butter and oil.

Butter

Butter is flavorful and is a solid at room temperature, becoming a liquid when heated. When using butter to grease a pan, take a stick of butter and rub it across the surface of the pan. This works well for foods like eggs and pancakes, but may burn at high heat, so it is not recommended for searing meat or sautéing vegetables.

Oil

Vegetable oil and other types of cooking oil are good alternatives to butter, especially when cooking at high heat. Oils with a high smoke point, like peanut, grapeseed, and avocado oil, are good choices. To grease a pan with oil, pour some onto a paper towel and rub it along the sides and bottom of the pan, ensuring the whole surface is coated.

Tips for Greasing a Pan

• You don't need to use a lot of fat to grease a non-stick pan. One tablespoon or so should be enough, depending on the size of the pan.
• If you are using butter, melt it at a low heat before adding your food.
• If you are using oil to fry an egg, heat it in a shallow pan and crack the egg into the oil once it starts to bubble.
• If you are using a disposable aluminum pan, be sure to remove the manufacturer's label and adhesive from the inside of the pan before greasing it.

Greasing a non-stick pan

Choose Your Grease

You can use butter or oil for greasing a non-stick pan. Both options work well, so it's a matter of personal preference. However, it's important to use a small amount—a tablespoon or so, depending on the size of your pan.

Prepare Your Pan

Before you add the grease, make sure your pan is ready. Have it on your countertop, within easy reach of your stove. It's important to grease the pan before putting it on the heat. This will ensure the grease adheres properly to the pan's surface.

Apply the Grease

Take a small amount of butter or oil and rub it directly onto the cooking surface of the pan. You want a thin, even coating that covers the entire surface. This will create a protective barrier between your chicken and the pan, ensuring your food doesn't stick.

Heat the Pan

Once the pan is greased, place it on the stove and turn on the heat. Adjust the heat to a suitable level—non-stick pans shouldn't be exposed to high heat. Let the pan heat up gradually. This will ensure the grease heats up with the pan, creating a non-stick surface for your chicken.

Add Your Chicken

Once the pan is heated, it's time to add your chicken. Place the chicken pieces carefully into the pan, giving them enough space to cook evenly. The grease should create a non-stick surface, allowing your chicken to brown and crisp without adhering to the pan.

Cooking Tips

Remember, if your food starts to stick, your pan might not be hot enough, or you may not have added enough grease. In this case, you can try turning up the heat a bit and adding a small splash of grease to see if your chicken releases naturally. For bone-in, skin-on chicken, it's generally recommended to let it sear undisturbed for about 10 minutes.

How much grease to use

The amount of grease you should use depends on the type of pan you are using and the type of grease. For example, if you are using a non-stick pan, you should only need a small amount of grease as the pan already has non-stick properties. On the other hand, if you are using a metal pan, you will need to use more grease to prevent the chicken from sticking.

If you are using butter or shortening to grease your pan, you will want to use enough to cover the entire bottom and sides of the pan. A thin layer of either butter or shortening should be enough to prevent sticking. If your pan is large, you may need to use more grease to ensure that all areas are covered. For a non-stick pan, one tablespoon of grease should be enough. For other types of pans, you may need to use a few tablespoons of grease.

If you are using a cooking spray, hold the can about 5 inches (13 cm) away from the pan and spray a thin layer over the entire pan. Make sure that the whole pan is coated, but you don't need to use a lot of cooking spray.

If you are using oil to grease your pan, pour a small amount of oil onto a paper towel and rub it along the sides and bottom of the pan. You don't want to use too much oil, as it can be difficult to remove from the pan after cooking.

Using cooking sprays

A quick spritz of cooking spray can magically keep food from sticking to a pan. However, it is not suitable for every situation. Here are some tips for using cooking sprays to grease a pan for chicken:

Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Cooking

Cooking spray is a great option if you are counting your calories. It is a low-calorie and low-fat alternative to other greasing options. A one-second spray contains about 7 calories and 1 gram of fat, compared to a tablespoon of butter or olive oil, which contain over 100 calories and 12 to 14 grams of fat.

Even and Consistent Coating

An evenly greased pan is essential to prevent your food from sticking. Cooking spray can help create a more even and consistent coating than other options. This is especially important when cooking sticky foods like chicken, which can easily adhere to the pan.

Holding Parchment in Place

If your recipe calls for parchment paper, give the pan a quick spray with cooking spray first. This will help hold the parchment in place, preventing it from sliding around as you add your chicken.

Keeping Sticky Ingredients from Sticking

In addition to greasing your pan, cooking spray can be used on measuring cups to prevent sticky ingredients like honey or peanut butter from clinging to the inside of the cup. This can be especially useful when measuring out sticky sauces or glazes for your chicken.

Considerations

While cooking spray is a convenient option, there are a few things to keep in mind. Cooking spray may not be suitable for nonstick pans as it can create a buildup over time that is difficult to remove. Additionally, it may not be the best choice for creating flavour, as it is usually made with neutral oils. For searing or sautéing chicken, you may prefer to use olive oil or butter for a more flavourful experience.

Greasing a pan for stovetop cooking

Step 1: Choose Your Greasing Agent

The choice of greasing agent depends on the type of pan you are using and your personal preference. Common options include butter, shortening, and oil. Butter will impart a rich flavour and a golden-brown colour to your chicken, while shortening is flavourless and will not cause browning. If using oil, it is best to opt for vegetable oil or a similar variant. Avoid using olive oil, as it can create a hard glaze that is difficult to remove from the pan.

Step 2: Prepare Your Greasing Agent

If using butter, grab a stick of unsalted butter and open one side of the paper packaging. This will allow you to hold the butter without getting your hands greasy. For shortening, use a pastry brush or paper towel to scoop up a small amount—about the size of a dollar coin. If your shortening is too hard, let it soften at room temperature before use.

Step 3: Apply the Grease to the Pan

Spread a thin layer of your chosen greasing agent onto the entire bottom of the pan. Ensure there are no gaps in the layer. Then, tilt the pan to its side and grease the sides as well. For stovetop cooking, you can also use cooking spray. Hold the spray can about 5 inches (13 cm) away from the pan and coat the entire surface evenly.

Step 4: Preheat Your Pan

Before placing your chicken in the pan, it is important to preheat it. This helps ensure your chicken doesn't stick. For cast iron pans, preheat for a few minutes longer than you would for a standard stainless steel pan.

Step 5: Temper Your Chicken

To avoid sticking, it is recommended to temper your chicken before cooking. This means allowing it to come to room temperature before placing it in the pan.

Step 6: Add Enough Fat to the Pan

Coating the pan with enough fat is crucial to prevent sticking. Bone-in, skin-on chicken should sear undisturbed for about 10 minutes. If your chicken starts to stick, try adding a splash more fat and increasing the heat slightly.

By following these steps, you can effectively grease a pan for stovetop chicken cooking, ensuring your meal turns out perfectly without any sticking issues.

Frequently asked questions