Diced chicken is probably one of the best meals you can ever learn to prepare. It’s a go-to meal when you think of things like chicken soup and chicken salad.
Basically, dicing is the simple act of cutting the chicken into tiny cubes. Besides chicken, you can dice vegetables, beef, carrots into evenly sized cube-shaped pieces.
A typical cube should be about ¾-inch in length and width. However, you can always dice your poultry in whatever cube sizes you prefer.
So, today we’d like to talk about how to prepare diced chicken using a pan. It is not complicated at all, so let’s have fun.
Preparing the Chicken
Of course, the very first step if you want to get the job done is to prepare the chicken (preferably boneless). You want to do that by placing it on a cutting board.
Holding the meat firmly with your non-dominant hand, make similar slices across the chicken. Of course, a sharp chef’s knife will come in handy in this undertaking.
Rotate the meat for 90 degrees and slice again, this time going across the initial slices already made. As we mentioned earlier, you can have the dices slightly larger or slightly smaller than ¾-inch depending on your preferences and cutting prowess.
How To Prepare Pan Seared Chicken?
This is a simple recipe but, in our view, it is hands-down the most perfect way especially to prepare chicken breast. With just a handful of steps, we’ll show you how to cook diced chicken in a pan so it comes out juicy and full of flavor.
You Will Need:
* A pan
* Measuring spoons
* Measuring spoon
Step One
Start off by seasoning your diced chicken. You want to season it liberally using some garlic powder, pepper, and of course some salt.
Step Two
Pre-heat your pan to medium-high temperature. Afterwards, introduce a thin layer of oil on the pan. Place your diced chicken on it for 3 to 5 minutes per side, being sure to turn once. That means a total of 10 minutes max.
Step Three
Basically, the chicken should attain an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit max. Once it does that, take it off and let it rest briefly before serving.
Another Method for Cooking Cubed Chicken
This is yet another method that takes roughly 10 minutes in prep time. It’s a fun-filled recipe for preparing cubed chicken so be sure to follow it to the end.
You will require:
* Cubed chicken
* Seasoning
* Marinade (optional)
* Olive oil
* Pan
Step One
Put the diced chicken inside your bowl of choice. To it, add some pepper and salt. Toss gently to coat all the four sides of the chicken.
Step Two
This is an optional step. Add marinade to your chicken. Also, you may choose to prepare the meal immediately after this step or you may keep the chicken in a refrigerator. The USDA FSIS recommends refrigerating marinated chicken for 2 days max.
Step Three
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the pan. Gently place your chicken inside the pan to fry it until it loses its typical pink color. Basically, you want to cook it to a point that it is slightly browned on both ends (roughly 3 to 5 minutes per side).
Step Four
Cook the chicken until it attains an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This, according to the U.S. Health & Human Services Department is to ensure that no harmful bacteria are left in the food.
Tip: You may insert your food thermometer into the meat to confirm.
And, just like that, your diced chicken is ready to serve.
How To Cook Chicken Pieces in a Pan – A Quick Word
There are many ways to cook chicken. However, most methods result in bland or unreasonably tough meat.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry at all. Our detailed recipes have got you covered.
Note that, besides the cooked meat you can always prepare your favorite salads on the side. You can never go wrong with a well-made salad, any day.
Frequently Asked Question Cubed Chicken Preparations Recipes
Still got some questions on this topic? We have got answers to some of the most commonly asked ones. Hopefully, you’ll find this section informative.
Q: What’s the best method to prepare chicken breast?
A: There are many different methods of cooking chicken. But in our view, the pan-searing methods always wins. It works quite well when the meat is diced as it forms a nice, golden-brown crust. If done right, you end up with meat that’s not only juicy but also full of flavor.
Q: How long should I prepare chicken using a frying pan?
Nice question. Generally, chicken should cook for up to 10 minutes on medium-high heat. Your chicken should at least reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be well cooked. So, you might want to invest in a meat thermometer if you want to get the job done properly.
Under-cooked meat can, unfortunately, lead to food poisoning according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Q: How can I tell that the diced chicken I am cooking is ready?
You can cut one of the pieces and look to confirm that its center is no longer pink in color. You can also use a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the chunks of meat. It should be 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous recipes for diced chicken. But the rule of the thumb is to ensure that whichever method is used, the meat is well cooked.
You can always season the chicken or even marinade it. This pretty much depends on the cuisine you’re working with or your individual preferences.
Some people add things like mixed vegetables and even mushrooms to the mix. Others just prefer to have the chicken alone.
We do recommend leaving the cooked chicken to rest for about 4 minutes before serving. This ensures that it’s adequately cooked and soft enough for your enjoyment.
In summary, we hope that you have found the above guide on cooking diced chicken in a pan helpful to your research. And that you’ll soon be able to prepare a nice and scrumptious meal from one of the methods discussed above.
