Steaming Chicken: The Epicure Way To Tender, Juicy Meat

The Epicure steamer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including chicken breast. With this steamer, you can prepare delicious and healthy meals with minimal effort and time. It is particularly useful for busy individuals and families who want to put a nutritious dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. This steamer is also ideal for those with specific dietary requirements, as it can be used to cook gluten-free and nut-free meals. In this guide, we will focus on how to cook chicken breast in the Epicure steamer, exploring different recipes and techniques to achieve juicy and flavourful results.

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Epicure Steamer

Chicken breast preparation

Firstly, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The quantity depends on how many people you are serving, but a standard serving is around 450g (1 lb). You can slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to get two thinner pieces, which will cook faster and be more even in size.

Next, prepare any vegetables or sides you want to cook with the chicken. Chicken Parmesan, for example, calls for marinara sauce, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and seasonings like rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. For Honey Garlic Chicken, you will need broccoli florets, peppers, honey, and Honey Garlic Meatball Seasoning.

Once you have gathered and prepared your ingredients, it's time to assemble the dish in the Epicure steamer. For Chicken Parmesan, start by covering the bottom of the steamer with marinara sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Dip each piece of chicken in this mixture, coating both sides evenly. Place the chicken pieces in the steamer, layer mozzarella cheese on top, and close the lid. Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

For Honey Garlic Chicken, start by chopping the peppers and chicken into 1" pieces. Place the chicken in the steamer, cover, and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Then, add the broccoli and microwave for an additional minute. Finally, add the peppers and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove the chicken and vegetables from the steamer, and discard any liquid. In the same steamer, whisk together the seasoning, water, and honey, microwaving uncovered for 2 minutes while whisking halfway through. If the sauce isn't thick enough, continue cooking in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired consistency. Finally, add the chicken and vegetables to the sauce, stirring to coat, and serve with rice if desired.

Always refer to the official instructions and guidelines provided by Epicure for their steamer, and adjust cooking times as needed for your specific model and microwave.

Steamer setup

To cook chicken breast in an Epicure steamer, you will need the following:

• An Epicure Multipurpose Steamer
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Other ingredients of your choice

Firstly, prepare your chicken breasts by slicing them into two pieces each. You can also chop the chicken into 1" pieces, depending on your recipe. For example, if you are making steamer chicken parmesan, you will want to slice the chicken breasts in half. On the other hand, if you are making steamer honey garlic chicken, chopping the chicken into smaller pieces is a better option.

Next, prepare any other ingredients you will be using. For example, if you are making the chicken parmesan, you will need breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, rosemary garlic seasoning, salt, pepper, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce. If you are making the honey garlic chicken, you will need broccoli florets, honey, garlic seasoning, and peppers.

Once your ingredients are prepared, it's time to assemble the steamer. Place the chicken in the steamer basket, ensuring that it is in a single layer and not overcrowded. If you are making the chicken parmesan, you will also layer mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.

If you are making a recipe with a sauce, such as the honey garlic chicken, you can add the sauce ingredients to the steamer base. For the honey garlic chicken, whisk together honey, seasoning, and water in the steamer. Alternatively, you can simply add water to the steamer base to ensure adequate steam is produced.

Now, it's time to close the lid of the steamer and turn on the heat. The Epicure Multipurpose Steamer can be used in the microwave or in the oven. If using the microwave, follow the timing instructions provided by your recipe. For example, the chicken parmesan cooks on high for 6-8 minutes, while the honey garlic chicken cooks in several shorter increments, stirring in between. If using the oven, preheat it to the desired temperature and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Finally, let the chicken cook until it is cooked through and reaches the desired internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness, if desired. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the steamer and enjoy!

Cooking times

The cooking time for chicken breast in an Epicure steamer varies depending on the recipe and the number of ingredients involved. Here is a breakdown of the cooking times based on different recipes:

Steamer Honey Garlic Chicken

This recipe involves cooking chicken and vegetables in the steamer. The chicken is chopped into 1" pieces and placed in the Round Steamer with the lid covered. It is then microwaved on high for 4 minutes. Broccoli florets are then added, and the mixture is microwaved for an additional minute. Finally, peppers are added, and the cooking continues for 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Steamer Chicken Parmesan

To make chicken parmesan in the Epicure steamer, you'll need to start by preparing the chicken. After slicing the chicken breasts in half, you'll dip them in a breadcrumb and seasoning mixture. Place the chicken pieces in the steamer, layering mozzarella cheese on top. Close the lid and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Chicken Noodle Soup

For a quick chicken noodle soup, you can simply pop raw chicken, broth, vegetables, and noodles into the steamer and cook for approximately 8-10 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking times may vary depending on the power of your microwave and the specific model of the Epicure steamer you are using. Always refer to the instructions provided by Epicure for the most accurate cooking times and guidelines.

Sauce preparation

The sauce preparation methods differ depending on the recipe. Here are the sauce preparation instructions for two Epicure steamer chicken recipes: Steamer Honey Garlic Chicken and Steamer Chicken Parmesan.

Steamer Honey Garlic Chicken Sauce Preparation:

• Remove the chicken and vegetables from the steamer and discard any remaining liquid. Cover the chicken and vegetables to keep them warm.
• In the same steamer, without washing it, whisk together the seasoning, water, and honey.
• Microwave the mixture uncovered on high for 2 minutes, whisking halfway through. If the sauce hasn't thickened to your liking, cook for additional 30-second intervals, whisking after each interval, until the desired thickness is achieved.
• For extra flavour, instead of discarding the cooking liquid from the chicken and vegetables, use it to make the sauce. Top it up with water until you have 3/4 cup of liquid.

Steamer Chicken Parmesan Sauce Preparation:

• Prepare 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce.
• Cover the bottom of a Multipurpose Steamer with the marinara sauce.
• In a shallow bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, rosemary garlic seasoning, and salt and pepper (if desired).
• Dip each chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring both sides are thoroughly coated.
• Place the chicken pieces in the steamer on top of the marinara sauce.

Serving suggestions

Chicken breasts cooked in an Epicure steamer are versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas:

• Chicken Parmesan: Serve the steamed chicken breasts with a side of marinara sauce, salad greens, and either egg noodles or rice. Top with grated mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.
• Honey Garlic Chicken: Chop up the steamed chicken breasts and serve them with steamed broccoli and peppers. Top with a sauce made from honey, garlic seasoning, and water. Serve with rice.
• Rotisserie Chicken: This can be served with steamed vegetables and rice or a whole-grain roll. You can also use leftovers to make nourish bowls, soup, or add to pasta.
• Keto Chicken: Place the steamed chicken on top of a salad. The olive oil added during cooking will keep the chicken moist and add flavour.
• Chicken and Rice: Serve the steamed chicken with rice and steamed vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, squash, or cranberries.

Frequently asked questions