Cooking Chicken in the Microwave

If your oven doesn't have a defrost power level, you might try alternating a heating period of three-to five minutes with a standing period of three-to-five minutes for each pound of frozen chicken. Rotate the dish at the end of each heating period.

Chicken is one of those foods that makes you happy that you have a microwave oven. Not only does chicken cook to perfection in a microwave oven, it does it in a fraction of the time required by conventional cooking methods.

Ideal for defrosting frozen chicken.

To defrost chicken, simply take the chicken from the freezer, unwrap it and place it in a casserole or baking dish that is safe for microwave cooking.

When you're cooking chicken in the microwave oven, you should allow about six to seven minutes of cooking time for each pound of meat. However, not all microwave ovens cook at exactly the same rate, so you should follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Chicken tips…

Here are a few suggestions which should help make your microwave cooked chicken dinners more appetizing. To brown chicken, coat it with butter, soy sauce, paprika, or a commercial browning sauce.

Chicken usually cooks best when the oven cooking level is set on "high." For less than three pounds of chicken, you may want to use a cooking level of "medium high " to "high."

When you're cooking chicken parts, put the larger, meatier parts near the outside. Tuck the giblets under the breast.

To keep moisture in the meat and to avoid spatter, cover the chicken with wax paper, a glass cover, or plastic wrap with one corner folded back for a vent.

Remember, standing time is important. Chicken continues to cook after the oven is turned off.

For more information or suggestions on cooking with a microwave oven, contact your local county Extension office.