How to Make Chicken More Moist: 13 Simple Tips for Juicy, Tender Chicken

Chicken can easily turn out dry and stringy if not prepared properly. We’ve all experienced taking a bite of chicken only to find it tough and lacking flavor. Fortunately, with the right techniques, achieving moist, delicious chicken is totally possible in your home kitchen.

In this article, I’ll share 13 of my best tips for keeping chicken incredibly juicy and tender From brining to marinating to nailing the cooking method, these strategies will help you serve chicken that is bursting with flavorful moisture every time

Why Chicken Can Be Dry

Before jumping into the solutions it helps to understand why chicken dries out in the first place. Chicken breast is a very lean cut of meat, meaning it contains little fat. Fat helps keep meat tender and moist during cooking. Without it chicken breast is prone to drying out, especially when exposed to high heat like grilling or broiling.

Additionally, chicken contains a lot of protein fibers. As chicken cooks, these fibers squeeze moisture out. Overcooking causes even more moisture loss, leading to dry, stringy meat. This is why properly monitoring temperature and cook time is so important.

Tips for Moist, Juicy Chicken

Follow these 13 tips to help your chicken stay incredibly moist and delicious.

1. Brine the Chicken

Soaking chicken in a saltwater brine solution before cooking infuses it with moisture and flavor. The salt allows the chicken to retain more moisture instead of squeezing it out during cooking. Brine chicken for 30 minutes up to a few hours before roasting, grilling, or sautéing.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Marinades also impart flavor and moisture when the chicken soaks up the liquid. Acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice break down tough protein fibers. Oil seals in moisture. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

3. Pat Chicken Dry Before Cooking

Blot chicken pieces with paper towels after brining or marinating. Any excess moisture on the surface will cause it to steam instead of browning.

4. Start with Skin Side Down

If cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken, start with the skin side down. This allows the fat under the skin to render and baste the meat.

5. Use a Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Chicken is safely cooked at 165°F. Remove it from the heat at 160°F and allow carryover cooking to finish it off while keeping the meat juicy.

6. Avoid High Heat

High temps cause moisture loss. Opt for moderate heat around medium to medium high when pan frying or grilling chicken. Give it time to cook through without burning the outside.

7. Try Gentle Cooking Methods

Methods like poaching, braising, or baking allow chicken to cook gently in a moist environment, keeping it tender.

8. Cook Boneless Pieces Evenly

With boneless skinless chicken breasts or cutlets, pound them to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate, preventing dryness.

9. Add Liquid

Roasting or baking chicken? Add some broth, water, or wine to the bottom of the pan to create steam, which helps it cook up moist.

10. Maintain Moisture for Leftovers

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container with a bit of the cooking liquid or broth to keep it from drying out.

11. Reheat Gently

Microwave leftovers at a lower power level and add a splash of water to rehydrate. Or reheat gently in a skillet on the stovetop with a bit of butter or oil.

12. Shred Then Mix

Shredding leftover chicken then mixing it with a sauce, vinaigrette, or mayo adds moisture and prevents dryness for dishes like chicken salad.

13. Rest Before Carving

Let roasted or grilled whole chickens rest at least 10 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute back into the meat after cooking.

Cooking Methods for Moist Chicken

Certain cooking methods are better at retaining moisture in chicken. Here are some of the top methods for juicy, tender meat:

Poaching

Gently simmering chicken in broth or seasoned liquid keeps it succulent. Use boneless chicken breasts for even cooking.

Braising

Braising chicken thighs or legs in a flavorful sauce produces fall-off-the-bone tender meat. Try chicken braised in tomatoes, garlic, and olives.

Grilling

Take care not to overcook chicken on the grill. Use medium heat, baste with sauce glaze, and check temperature.

Sautéing

Pan frying in a bit of oil over medium-high heat cooks chicken fast so it stays juicy inside. Cut into smaller pieces for even cooking.

Roasting

Season chicken and roast in a 425°F oven for crispy skin. Baste with pan juices to keep the meat moist and tender.

Steaming

Steaming locks in moisture and allows seasoning to penetrate the chicken. It’s a very healthy cooking method.

Stir-Frying

Velveting chicken then stir-frying in a hot wok keeps the meat incredibly tender and juicy. It cooks fast at high heat.

Deep Frying

The high heat of deep frying crisps up the exterior while keeping the inside moist and succulent. Use a thermometer to monitor oil temp.

Sample Juicy Chicken Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite chicken recipes that result in incredibly moist, delicious meat:

• Lemon Garlic Chicken – chicken breasts baked with a lemon garlic butter sauce

• Chicken Shawarma – marinated chicken thighs grilled with lots of spices

• Buffalo Chicken Wraps – shredded chicken mixed with buffalo sauce and ranch dressing

• General Tso’s Chicken – crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy ginger sauce

• Chicken Parmesan – breaded chicken cutlets baked with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella

• Chicken Pot Pie – tender chicken braised with veggies in a creamy sauce and baked under a flaky crust

With the right techniques and recipes, you can serve chicken that is perfectly moist and full of flavor. Experiment with different brines, marinades, and cooking methods to find your favorites. Use a meat thermometer for foolproof results. Soon you’ll be enjoying juicy, succulent chicken dishes that avoid dryness and have your family asking for seconds.