Chicken breasts are one of the juiciest and meatiest parts of the chicken and they require proper preparation and care when grilling. Here we will learn how to cook chicken breast in toaster oven and how to proper justice to it.
The key idea is to put in chicken breasts that are at room temperature and not frozen. The next crucial part is timing. The time it takes to cook depends upon two things: first it depends upon the temperature setting. Second, it depends upon how crispy you want the chicken to be. We will discuss this in detail below
Toaster ovens have become the go-to option for many home cooking needs including cooking chicken. In the past, cooking chicken breasts were done on a grill, in a frying pan or a convection oven.
Chickens are a great source of protein to the body and are really amazing. Most people now use their toaster oven to prepare their chicken.
The only downside is the size of most toaster ovens. Therefore the chicken is usually cut into parts so they can be roasted or grilled piece by piece.
How to Cook Chicken Breast in Toaster Oven
To prepare the chicken breast, you should marinate first. Marinating chicken breasts brings out the flavor in the chicken, softens it, and gives it an amazing taste. You can get a store ready marinade or make one at home.
To make a marinade at home you need:
- Olive oil or butter
- Wine, citrus or vinegar
- Spices
- Salt
- Flavoring
1. Defrost the Chicken
Make sure your chicken is thoroughly thawed and at normal temperature
2. Mix and Marinate
Combine the ingredients in moderate quantity and put your chicken in. If it contains acids such as vinegar or citrus, you might not want to keep it marinating for too long so it doesn’t ruin your chicken and make it come out spongy, too soft and too dried out. You can marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Once your chicken breast is thoroughly marinated, take it out of the marinade.
3. Preheat the Oven and Select the Setting
Take out your oven tray and preheat the oven to 375°F and put the oven on the bake option.
Preheating your oven ensures that the heat from the oven is evenly distributed and the chicken breast can cook evenly. Depending on your oven tray, section the quantity of chicken you would bake per time.
4. Season the Chicken
Season the chicken all over with your spices, you can use salt, pepper, ginger, garlic, and even bread crumbs, ensure that all the sides are thoroughly covered.
5. Cooking Spray / Oil
Once you’re done covering your chicken in spices, ensure that your oven tray is properly dried then lay a foil paper on the tray. Make sure it covers the whole tray, then spray on some cooking spray.
The baking spray ensures that the chicken does not stick to the foil or the tray and keeps it moisturized. You can also spray some olive oil on your chicken to keep all the sides hydrated.
6. Bake for 40 Minutes
Bake the chicken for about 40 minutes. You can check the chicken at regular intervals or turn it to get all the sides to a golden brown.
You will know when your chicken breast is ready but to be sure, you can check the oven temperature with a kitchen thermometer, it should be about 160°-170° at the thickest parts.
Leave to properly cool before cutting and serving.
How to Cook BBQ Chicken Breast in Toaster Oven
To barbeque your chicken breast, you don’t need a marinade since you soak the chicken in the barbeque sauce when baking. A boneless store-bought chicken breast is really nice for this recipe.
- Preheat the oven to about 350°F
- Start by spraying your chicken with some olive oil then rub your chicken over with spices.
- Once that is done, prepare the barbeque sauce. The chicken should be ready in an oven-safe bowl.
- Pour the barbeque sauce over the chicken with some onions.
- Make sure the sauce thoroughly covers the chicken, don’t mix so you don’t disturb the spices.
- Cover the bowl with a tight foil and put it in the oven.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes
- Leave to cool for 30 minutes before serving to lock the sauce in.
Serve with your preferred side dish
When cooking your chicken, don’t leave in the oven longer than you should so that the chicken doesn’t dry out on the inside.
There are a variety of ways you can prepare your chicken in a toaster oven and a lot of other uses you can find for your oven. The secret to good food is trying out new things like you will now after learning how to cook chicken breast in toaster oven.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Breast in a Toaster Oven?
The length of time it will take you to prepare chicken breasts would depend on the temperature you are using to bake in your toaster oven. For a crustier exterior and juicy interior, you might want to set your temperature to high heat.
About 400°F will cook your chicken for 15-20 minutes and lock up all the chicken flavor and moisture easily.
For a less crispy and drier chicken breast, you can bake at 300° to 350°F. Make sure you check the chicken at regular intervals to ensure that it is not sticking to the foil or burning. At this temperature, your chicken breast will take about 40-45 minutes to bake.
The good thing about this temperature is that the texture is usually even throughout and if you don’t like a lot of crisp, you might want to try this.
Read more: What Can You Make in a Toaster Oven
Must I Marinate My Chicken Breast
Chicken breasts have amazing flavors and marinades enhance them a lot. Marinating is not compulsory but it is necessary for preparing some dishes in a toaster oven. It keeps your chicken from drying out and helps retain great flavors. I highly recommend marinating your chicken if a recipe suggests it.
Should I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Toaster Oven?
Toaster ovens are resilient, but your chicken isn’t always.
When you want to cook your chicken (see also how to cook a steak) in your toaster oven, you should consider bringing it to room temperature.
This is because a frozen chicken breast will not bake evenly and some sides might end up crispy and other sides might not be properly done especially if you’re not eating the right amount of heat.
Marinating your chicken before cooking can help you bring your chicken to room temp. You can also consider mixing your marinade with some warm water so the water helps regulate the chicken.
You should never try to cook frozen food in a toaster oven without thawing first to avoid ruining your food.
Read more: How Much Does a Toaster Oven Cost
FAQs:
1. Can you cook raw chicken breast in a toaster oven?
Yes, you can. Toaster ovens are capable of roasting or baking chicken. Occasionally, an entire Thanksgiving turkey can be baked too. The procedure is nearly identical to that of a conventional wall oven; the only differences are in the temperature and time settings.
2. Can you cook raw meat in a toaster oven?
Yes, you can cook raw meat in a toaster oven. This is one of the surprising things you can cook with your toaster ovens. Toaster ovens are also capable of cooking meat and sausages. And if your sweet tooth gets the better of you, pop a few cookies in them. It's a more cost-effective option than baking a full-size batch.
3. How long does it take to bake chicken breast at 375?
It could take approximately 20 minutes.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, arrange the chicken breasts. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees in the thickest part of the breast. Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside for 10 minutes before slicing.
4. Can you put a glass bowl in a toaster oven?
Generally, you can not use a toaster oven with a glass. The oven's heat may cause the glass to overheat. It may shatter, causing damage to the interior of your toaster oven. However, a select few pieces of glassware are designed specifically for oven use.
5. Can u cook steak in a toaster oven?
Yes, you can. In a toaster oven, cooking steak is simple. If you are familiar with broiling steak in the oven, this recipe is nearly identical. However, because a toaster oven is smaller than a conventional oven, your steak may cook more quickly than usual, so make the necessary adjustments.