Best Way to Cook Chicken

Okay so it’s not the best way to cook chicken per se, but it is my favorite way to cook it in a healthy way, which is simply to bake it in the oven. This way is so healthy, easy, and tasty at the same time!

Here’s what I do:

  1. First I preheat the oven to 350˚F.
  2. Then I rinse the chicken and cut it up into whatever size piece works, unless I use tenderloins which don’t need to be cut.
  3. Place the pieces on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  4. Season the pieces with whatever I want to use, usually pepper, garlic, or Italian seasoning or a combination because that’s what we have on hand here.
  5. Throw it in the oven once I’m sure it has adequately preheated.
  6. Cook for 15 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes depending on the size but they are always ready by then!

They always come out juicy and tasty, without using any oil or marinade. This way won’t work for everyone and I don’t have fancy tastes, but it works for moments when things are crazy and we need a healthy home cooked meal!

juicy baked chicken

Now, here’s some of the dishes I love to eat with my chicken:

  • Chicken salad with whatever veggies we have: lettuce, cucumber, and tomato is my favorite. I use light ranch dressing because I prefer it over all else and it’s only 80 calories for two tablespoons.
  • Brown rice + baked chicken + veggies: I love putting cauliflower, broccoli, and/or corn in this dish! You could even stir fry it in a skillet.
  • Noodles + baked chicken + veggies: This I can use any veggie and it tastes good: green beans, broccoli, carrots, corn, etc. Preferably you would use whole grain/wheat noodles if you chose to do this, but sometimes when we don’t have that I’ve been known to cook half a package of Ramen noodles plain, no seasoning. Now I know they aren’t healthy at all but it works in a pinch. This could also be cooked as a stir fry with the right noodles!
  • White chicken chili: I need to find and share this recipe with you all because it is so tasty. You could do a search online and find one too but I will be posting this in a future post!

There are countless other dishes to mix the chicken with as well, like a ton of chicken casseroles or other recipes, but these are my favorites!

~Bonnie~

20 thoughts on “Best Way to Cook Chicken”

  2. Can I ask why you choose to wash the chicken? If it is in date and cooked adequately, there should be absolutely no need to do so.

    I can recommend placing it in tin foil and wrapping; cooks beautifully.

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    2. Meat gets washed, so that the blood can drain away and in the case of chicken,to wash the slight film on the skin.

      A lit of people wash their meat, including those of Jewish,Christian and Muslim backgrounds!

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      3. You are entitled to your opinion. I am simply referring to scientific proof that washing poultry spreads harmful bacteria such as campylobacter when the water droplets hit the chicken. Cooking sufficiently kills bacteria. This is a fact not an opinion.

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  6. I usually boil my chicken but this seems much faster so I think I will try to do this. I would assume this can be done in larger quantities to freeze for future meals. Due to my hectic schedule I am trying to prepare meals in advance so if you have any advice or tips I would love to hear them.

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    1. Yes, I LOVE preparing enough chicken for a few days at least! Plus you could do a week of chicken with all the different recipes. Make it in a big batch for a casserole for a few days, chicken salad on one or more days, brown rice lasts well too so the brown rice + chicken + veggie one is great for batch cooking. I don’t do it personally but I know the baked chicken and cooked rice last quite a while (around a week).

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