Cream of chicken soup may be your secret weapon in preventing chicken breasts from drying out.
Nuggets, strips, drumsticks or wings, chicken is quite the chameleon of protein. And folks love their chicken so much that it's the most-consumed meat in the U.S., with Americans forking into more poultry than any other country in the world, according to the National Chicken Council.
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Given these stats, we bet you're familiar with how easy it is to overcook chicken breasts, turning them into dry, boring pieces of protein. However, the USDA has a simple addition to your routine that will ensure chicken breasts turn out juicy and delicious every time!
Chicken Breast Ingredients
- A thick piece of chicken breast.
- Spices: Salt, pepper and garlic are commonly used seasonings. You can also experiment with other seasonings like chili powder and truffle salt.
- Oil: Consider healthy oil options like olive oil or avocado oil.
- 10 oz. cream of chicken soup: This will help your chicken get extra juicy. Consider a reduced-sodium soup if you're looking to lower your salt intake.
- A side dish: Chicken breast is best when paired with another food. Prepare a salad, rice dish or steamed vegetables for a complete dinner, recommends the USDA.
How to Cook Chicken Breast
- Select your meat wisely: There are several grades of poultry sold in grocery stores but Grade A is the best quality you can select, according to the USDA. Choosing Grade A chicken breasts ensures that your meat will be free of deformities. When you bring your poultry home from the store, refrigerate it immediately.
- Heat your skillet: Heat a tablespoon of oil on a medium-high setting. In the meantime, wash your hands and season your chicken breast as desired. Don't wash your chicken, though, as this could cause any bacteria from the meat to leak onto other dishes in the sink.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken breast to the pan and cook for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a separate plate.
- Add the soup: In the same skillet, stir in the soup with a half cup of water. Heat the soup to a boil.
- Finish cooking your chicken breast: Once the soup reaches a boil, return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce your heat to a lower setting and allow it to simmer for 10 more minutes. Alternatively, use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reached an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit.