Dec 14
Cooking chicken on the braai or grilling it is something that you need to perfect each and every time. Whether you are cooking an entire chicken, or just breasts and wings, you have to use marinades or sauces if you want it to come out succulent. South Africa is known for our delicious braai’s of chicken, boerewors and chops and eating biltong around the fire. Chicken is a form of the most delicious white meat you can get; you can purchase it from any supermarket or directly from the farms at discounted prices. There are hints and tips you could use, but each braaier has their own way of doing things.
Many people tend to neglect this fact when they are cooking chicken on the braai or grilling it, is to first clean the white meat. You can make your own sauces by mixing together marinades and spices from the kitchen; otherwise you can buy the sauce and coat the chicken in it before cooking begins. The breasts of the chicken are the dyer parts, so these definitely need marinating, and you will marinade the rest of the meat to give it a more tender and juicy taste. The wings are small, so they don’t need much marinade, but just a little would be good.
Living in South Africa, you don’t really need any tips to braaing chicken, but if it is not your speciality, you will be happy to know that there are many others who will be willing to help you and all you have to do is be invited out to a braai and stand and take tips while the braaier is at work! Cooking chicken on the braai or grilling it is something that everyone has to learn, whether you are grilling for a Sunday lunch or braaing for an evening dinner.
Oct 26
Tips for grilling chicken can be found in most cookbooks, but sometimes you just want a little simple piece of advice rather than a whole recipe. Chicken on the bone can take a while to cook, whereas skinless breasts are extremely quick and easy. Your needs will vary depending on whether you want to grill chicken in a sauce at home, or stick some wings and drumsticks on the braai. The best thing you can do is find some simple ingredients, mix them into a marinade, and baste the chicken in that.
If you’re worried about eating healthily then the tips for grilling chicken that you’ll need will probably be for cooking skinless breasts. There are so many ways to grill chicken and grilling is probably the healthiest way to cook chicken. Simply add a little olive oil to a dish and cut your chicken into strips. Add some paprika and onions, and some crunchy vegetables like peppers, carrots and courgettes. Finally add some salt and pepper and place under the grill. Because the chicken is cut into strips it will be ready faster than if you just used the whole breast.
If you prefer a braai to a home grill then you’ll want to make a delicious sauce or marinade so that your chicken doesn’t dry out. Simple sauces include a yoghurt and lemon drizzle, a tangy tomato and herb relish-like baste, or you can simply buy a pre-prepared packet from the local shop. Just remember that meat on the bone takes longer to cook, so even though the skin may look crispy and tasty, your might not be ready. Always cut into the biggest piece and look at the meat close to the bone to make sure you’re safe! There’s no need to ask the experts, just use your common sense to find tips for grilling chicken.