Steaming Chicken In A Cooker: A Quick, Easy Guide

Steaming is a great way to cook chicken, especially boneless chicken breasts, as it keeps the meat moist and juicy. It's a healthy cooking method, as no additional fat is used, and it's also very versatile – the cooked chicken can be used in salads, wraps, sandwiches, or served as is with a dip or sauce. You can steam chicken in a traditional steamer, an electric steamer, or by using a rack that sits in the bottom of a tightly covered pan. In this article, we'll take you through the steps to steam chicken in a cooker, as well as some tips for adding flavour to your dish.

Preparing the chicken for steaming

If you want to marinate the chicken, you can use a variety of ingredients such as oil, pepper, garlic, herbs, or other flavourings. Place the chicken in a large bowl, add your chosen ingredients, and ensure the meat is well-coated. You can also add ingredients to the steaming water, such as onions, carrots, celery, or ginger, to infuse extra flavour into the chicken.

Another option is to cut a couple of shallow slices or poke holes into the thickest parts of the chicken breasts to help the heat reach throughout the entire piece. This step is not necessary but can help ensure even cooking.

Finally, decide if you want to steam the chicken with or without the skin. Some recipes call for skinless, boneless chicken breasts, while others do not specify. Once your chicken is prepared, you can move on to the steaming process.

The steaming process

Firstly, prepare your chicken. If you have time, sprinkle the chicken with salt and leave it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least half an hour. This will make the meat more tender and allow the flavour to soak in. You can also rub in some olive oil to add flavour and stop the outside of the chicken from getting tough.

Next, fill a large pot or saucepan with water and place it on a high heat on your stove. You want to fill it so that when you place your steamer basket or rack inside, the water is just below the bottom of the steamer or at least one inch below the rack. If you are using an electric steamer, fill the base with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Bring the water to a full boil.

While the water is heating up, prepare your chicken for steaming. If you have time, cut a couple of shallow slices or poke holes into the thickest parts of the breast to help the heat reach through the entire piece. You can also marinate the chicken before steaming to infuse it with a distinctive flavour.

Once the water is boiling, place the chicken in the steamer basket or on the rack in a single layer, leaving a little room around the pieces. This allows the steam to circulate freely, cooking the meat at a more even rate. Make sure no water is coming up through the holes in the steamer or boiling up over the heatproof dish. Cover with a tight lid and cook for around 8 to 10 minutes for a large boneless chicken breast or 30 minutes for two smaller boneless chicken breasts.

After the time is up, check that the chicken is cooked by cutting into the thickest part. If it is still too pink, recover the pot and let it sit for a few more minutes. Once it is cooked, remove the chicken from the steamer and use the water for broth or to make a sauce to serve with the chicken.

You can also steam the chicken with wine, sake or water in a heavy pot. Add the liquid and the chicken to the pot, bring it to a simmer, then cover, turn the heat to low and let it cook for 5-6 minutes. After this time, turn off the heat and let the pot sit with the lid on for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Cooking time

The cooking time for steamed chicken depends on the method you use and the size of the chicken. If you are using a traditional steamer, fill the steamer pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Place the chicken in the steamer, ensuring that there is a little room around each piece for the steam to circulate. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. If you are using a rack or tray in 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 with a tight lid and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes.

For an electric steamer, the cooking time may vary depending on the model, but it should take around 15 minutes. If you are steaming boneless chicken breasts, they will take around 30 minutes to cook until the juices run clear. If you are briefly steaming the chicken in white wine, sake, or water and letting the residual heat slowly cook the meat, it will take around 5-6 minutes on medium heat. Then, turn off the heat and let the pot sit for another 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast.

Making a sauce

To make a sauce to accompany your steamed chicken, you can use the water in which the chicken was steamed. This can be used as a simple broth, or you can add flavourings to make a more complex sauce.

One option is to add aromatics such as onions, carrots, celery, and fresh ginger root to the water while the chicken is steaming. You can also add herbs or other flavourings of your choice to the water to infuse the chicken with extra flavour. Another option is to make an onion sauce by frying onion in vegetable oil until tender, adding in garlic, and then stirring in soy sauce and sesame oil. This can be ladled over the chicken when serving.

If you want to make a thicker sauce, you can add a slurry of cornflour and water to the broth and simmer until thickened. Alternatively, you could use butter and flour to make a roux, cooking this until the flour is cooked out and then slowly whisking in the broth and simmering until thickened.

For a lighter sauce, you could use the chicken juices that are released during steaming and mix these with olive oil and lemon juice to make a simple vinaigrette. This can be drizzled over the chicken before serving.

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:

Rice

Steamed chicken is often served with rice, particularly in Southeast Asian countries. This can be a great way to soak up any sauces or juices from the chicken. You could even steam the rice in a rice cooker at the same time as your chicken, saving time and energy.

Salad, Wraps, and Sandwiches

Chicken is a great addition to a salad, wrap, or sandwich. The versatility of steamed chicken means it can be added to a variety of different types of salads, from leafy green salads to pasta salads. It can also be a tasty and healthier alternative to other meats in sandwiches and wraps.

Dipping Sauces

A variety of sauces can accompany steamed chicken. For a simple option, you could serve it with an avocado dip or herb sauce. Alternatively, you could make a more complex sauce, such as an oyster-based sauce or a sauce made from sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic.

Vegetables

Steamed chicken can be served with a variety of vegetables, either steamed or blanched. This could include stir-fried vegetables or a simple side salad.

Other Sides

There are a number of other side dishes that could accompany steamed chicken. This includes fried shallots, Chinese sausage fried rice, traditional Chinese beef chow fun, and Chinese water spinach stir-fry.

Drinks

A variety of drinks could be served alongside steamed chicken, depending on the sauce and sides. A light, crisp white wine or beer could be a good option, or perhaps a refreshing cocktail.

Remember, steamed chicken is a versatile dish, so feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions and adapt them to your personal preferences.

Frequently asked questions