Baked Hen – A Lovely Mess

My husband and I have been vegetarians for years so I typically nonetheless really feel somewhat intimidated after I cook dinner meat. Is it cooked sufficient to be secure? Is it overcooked and possibly dry? These are the issues I fear about.

With this in thoughts, I assumed I’d share how I bake hen breasts with out brining. That is one thing I make nearly each week with a lot of totally different facet dishes, relying what we’ve got.

That is the simplest and most foolproof method I do know to bake hen breasts in order that they prove juicy and completely cooked.

And whereas I’m not in opposition to brining, I don’t assume it’s needed and it provides an additional step plus extra planning. That is simply easy, moist, completely cooked hen.

Associated: If you happen to love baked hen, you might also like Air Fryer Hen Tenders and Crispy Air Fryer Wings. Don’t have an air fryer? Study The way to Broil Steak to perfection.

Components:

That is all I take advantage of after I bake hen. That being mentioned, you’ll be able to completely add or change up the seasonings; strive Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, paprika, or another spice mixture you want.

The way to Bake Hen:

Add half the olive oil to a baking dish and rub across the backside (the place the hen will contact). Then, add the hen and pour the remaining oil on prime. Rub it round so your entire prime of the hen breast is roofed.

Sprinkle on the seasoning salt and pepper.

Bake at 450°F for 14-18 minutes. Examine to verify the hen is finished (see beneath). Then, enable to relaxation for 3-5 minutes earlier than reducing or serving.

Ideas for Success:

• One of the best ways to examine that your hen is finished is to make use of a meat thermometer and ensure the thickest a part of the hen has reached 165°F.
• If you happen to don’t have a meat thermometer, you’ll be able to examine the hen by reducing into the thickest half. The meat ought to be white (not pink) and the juices from the hen ought to run clear.
• My favourite seasoning salt is nice ole Lawry’s. I are likely to maintain baked hen easy so I could make a flavorful or fascinating facet dish. And, if we’ve got leftovers, they are often simply used for different meals later within the week.

Serving Solutions:

You possibly can serve this baked hen with pasta, rice, potatoes, or actually something to make it a meal. Listed below are some facet dishes we love: