The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Perfect Chicken Breasts in Your Electric Steamer
Cooking chicken breasts can be a daunting task, as they can quickly become overcooked or dry. However, using an electric steamer is a fool-proof method to ensure moist and flavorful chicken breasts every time. In this ultimate guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about cooking chicken breasts in an electric steamer from choosing the right steamer to aftercare of your appliance.
Why Cook Chicken Breasts in an Electric Steamer?
Cooking chicken breasts in an electric steamer has many benefits. Firstly, it’s a healthy cooking method that requires no added fat or oil. Secondly, it’s time-efficient with its quick cook times and hands-off cooking process. Lastly, it produces consistently moist and tender results compared with other cooking methods such as baking, frying, or grilling.
What Is An Electric Steamer?
An electric steamer is a kitchen appliance that uses steam to cook food. It consists of a heating element that heats water in a reservoir or tank. The water turns into steam, which then cooks foods placed in a basket above the water level.
Choosing the Right Electric Steamer
There are various types of electric steamers available in the market with different features. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and budget.
- Types of Electric Steamers:
- Individual Steamer Baskets: These types of steamers are perfect for individuals or small families as they have a single-serve capacity.
- Multitier Steamer: These types have multiple baskets for simultaneous steaming of food items.
- Rice Cooker Steamers: These types of steamers have a built-in rice cooker and are versatile for steaming different types of foods.
- Capacity of the Electric Steamer:
- Key Features To Look For When Buying An Electric Steamer:
- Digital timer
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Water level indicator
- Built-in warming function
Electric steamers come in different sizes ranging from small to big depending on your family size. Always opt for a steamer with at least two-tier baskets, so you can steam multiple food items at once.
Preparing Chicken Breasts for the Steaming Process
Before the cooking process, preparing chicken breasts appropriately is vital. The below steps ensure that chicken breasts steam uniformly and taste their best after cooking.
- Buying Quality Chicken Breasts:
- Trimming Chicken Breasts:
- Marinades And Seasonings For Your Chicken Breasts:
Choose fresh and high-quality chicken breasts that are grain-fed and free from antibiotics or hormones.
To ensure uniform cooking of chicken breasts, trim them to an even thickness. To do this, lay the chicken breast flat on a cutting board and carefully slice horizontally through the fattest end until it’s halved.
You can use marinades or dry rubs for flavoring your chicken breasts before steaming. Ensure to let the meat marinate for at least thirty minutes before placing them in the steamer basket.
Steaming Your Chicken Breasts
Now that you have your electric steamer and properly prepared chicken breasts let’s look at how to steam them.
- Prepping Your Electric Steamer:
- Filling Water Tank or Reservoir: Fill the water tank or reservoir with enough water for the entire cooking time. Consult your electric steamer instruction manual for the exact amount.
- Selecting Setting for Chicken Breast Cook Time and Temperature: Check your instruction manual on how to set your steamer to cook chicken breasts and what temp and timing is needed.
- How Long to Steam Chicken Breasts Following Manufacturer’s Instructions?
- Checking Internal Temperature of Cooked Chicken Breast:
The steam time of chicken breasts will vary depending on the size of the meat, wattage of the electric steamer, and manufacturer instructions. As a general rule, chicken breasts take about 15-25 minutes to cook. Ensure that the internal temperature reads 165°F with a meat thermometer before removing them from the electric steamer.
When checking if your chicken breast is cooked, make sure you check it in the thickest part of the meat using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F; if it’s below that, put the chicken breast back to steam until fully cooked.
Tips for Cooking Perfect Chicken Breasts Every Time
The below tips can help you achieve perfectly moist and flavorful chicken breasts every time in your electric steamer.
- Experimenting With Different Seasonings and Flavors:
- Incorporating Other Foods Into Your Steam Basket:
- Timing Multiple Food Items In One Batch:
Add different spices or flavorings to your chicken breasts to create variation. Experiment with different marinades or dry rubs to give your chicken breast flavor profiles that match your liking.
You can place different food items in the same steam basket as your chicken breasts. For instance, you could add vegetables like broccoli or carrots for a healthy and well-rounded meal.
If you are cooking multiple food items, ensure you factor in all their respective cook times when preparing your steaming process.
Aftercare of Your Electric Steamer
Taking care of your electric steamer after use is crucial in maintaining its longevity and ensuring it works excellently.
- Maintaining & Cleaning The Electric Steamer:
- Safe Storage Practices:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on regular maintenance and cleaning of the electric steamer. You need to descale the steamer periodically or clean it with vinegar and water to keep it working optimally.
Store the electric steamer in a cool and dry place after use. Ensure that no water remains stagnant as it can promote mold growth.
FAQ’s About Cooking Chicken Breasts in an Electric Steamer
1. Is it safe to cook Chicken Breasts entirely in an Electric Steamer?
Yes, it is entirely safe to cook chicken breasts in an electric steamer as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding temperature and time settings.
2. How Long Should I Steam My Chicken Breasts?
The steam time of chicken breasts varies depending on the size of the meat and wattage of your electric steamer. Consult your electric steamer instruction manual for precise instructions on how long to steam chicken breasts.
3. Can I Steam Frozen Raw Chicken Breasts?
You can steam frozen raw chicken breasts; however, it will require a longer cooking time than un-frozen chicken breasts.
Conclusion
Cooking perfectly moist and tasty chicken breasts every time is simpler than it seems with an electric steamer. With the above guide, you now have all the knowledge you need on how to choose, set up and maintain your electric steamer for making healthy, tasty chicken breasts. Don’t be afraid to experiment with various spices and other food items in your steam baskets to add variety to your meals. Try out this affordable appliance today and enjoy consistently delicious chicken breast dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
#### What is an electric steamer and how does it work?
An electric steamer is a kitchen appliance that uses steam to cook food. It works by heating water inside a reservoir and then directing the steam into the cooking chamber, where it surrounds the food and cooks it slowly and evenly.
#### What are the benefits of using an electric steamer to cook chicken breast?
There are several benefits of using an electric steamer to cook chicken breast. First, it is a healthy cooking method that doesn’t require any added oils or fats. Additionally, since the chicken is cooked in steam, it stays moist and tender. Finally, an electric steamer is a hands-off way of cooking, which means you can set it and forget it while you prepare other parts of your meal.
#### How should I season my chicken breast before cooking it in the electric steamer?
To add flavor to your chicken breast before cooking it in an electric steamer, you can use a marinade or dry rub. A simple marinade might consist of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you could use a dry rub made from spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder.
#### How long does it take to cook chicken breast in an electric steamer?
The amount of time it takes to cook a chicken breast in an electric steamer will depend on the size of the chicken breast and the power of your specific appliance. As a general rule of thumb, however, it should take approximately 15 minutes for a 6-ounce piece of chicken breast to cook all the way through. To ensure that your chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), use a meat thermometer before serving.
