Housewives will go to great lengths to ensure that the chicken breast does not turn out dry and tough. But the tenderness of meat does not depend on many hours of marinating.
Experienced chefs have suggested 1 unexpected ingredient that works as a natural “leavening agent”.
To make the chicken breast tender, they add sparkling water to the marinade. Its bubbles gently act on protein fibers, loosening them and making the meat juicy, after which it “melts” in the mouth.
Ingredients (for 2 servings):
- Chicken breast – 2 pcs.
- Sparkling water – 400-500 ml
- Corn starch – 3-4 tbsp. l.
- Smoked paprika – 1 tsp.
- Salt, pepper – to taste
- Oil for frying
For the sauce:
- Pineapple juice – 150 ml
- Soy sauce – 2 tbsp. l.
- Sesame oil – 1 tsp.
- Ginger or chili flakes – optional
Step by step recipe
- Pour cold sparkling water over the chicken breasts until it completely covers them. Leave for 20-30 minutes. After this, dry the meat thoroughly with a paper towel – this is important for a crispy crust.
- Mix cornstarch, paprika, salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in this dry mixture on all sides. Heat the oil in a frying pan (it should be very hot) and fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- In a separate container, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce and sesame oil. If desired, add grated ginger for freshness or chili for heat. Pour the mixture into the pan and simmer over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Return the fried chicken to the pan with the sauce, heat together for a minute until the meat is saturated. For maximum juiciness, you can remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Serve the chicken on a bed of fresh spinach, rice or quinoa with a generous drizzle of sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
For a crunchy texture, add some crushed cornflakes to the starch breading.
The soda method works great not only with chicken, but also with pork and even tofu, making the texture thicker and more absorbent.
Try this simple life hack, and an ordinary chicken breast will turn into an exquisite, tender dish that will surprise you and your loved ones.
