Chicken is endlessly adaptable across cuisines and methods. Learn how to choose cuts and cook them for the best results.
How to choose chicken
Choose chicken that looks fresh and pink with no strong smell. Different cuts suit different dishes: breasts are lean and quick-cooking, thighs are richer and more forgiving, and bone-in pieces bring extra flavor. Buy the cut your recipe calls for, since cooking times differ.
How to store chicken
Keep raw chicken cold and store it on the bottom shelf of the fridge so it cannot drip onto other foods. Use fresh chicken within a couple of days or freeze it. Always keep raw chicken separate from other ingredients and wash hands and surfaces after handling to avoid cross-contamination.
How to cook chicken
Chicken must be cooked through, but overcooking dries it out — especially lean breast meat. Even thickness helps it cook evenly, and resting it after cooking keeps it juicy. Chicken is wonderfully versatile: grill it, roast it, or stir-fry it, and it carries almost any cuisine or seasoning.
Related guides
Recipes to try
- Moroccan Spicy Chili Chicken Skillet
- Thai Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Coconut Rice
- Moroccan Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Zucchini
- Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables
- Thai Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Zucchini
- Thai Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Jasmine Rice
- Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Zucchini
- Italian Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Zucchini
- Moroccan Spicy Chili Grilled Chicken with Lemon Herb Couscous
- Mediterranean Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Zucchini
- Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Potatoes
- Italian Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken with Zucchini
Ready to cook? Browse all chicken recipes.