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ByMarco Rossi/
Everyone loves the satisfying crunch of crispy chicken, yet achieving that perfect texture can be elusive. Thankfully, the boiling water shower is a tried-and-true technique for consistently achieving crackling goodness. All you need to do is either pour boiling water on your raw chicken or submerge it in bubbling water for a few seconds. The hot water helps tighten and shrink the skin, effectively reducing excess fat and moisture.
This is important because the presence of moisture and fat can hinder the crisping process. Moisture can lead to the formation of steam during cooking, making it harder to create a crispy crust. On the other hand, an abundance of fat can result in greasiness, making it just as difficult to achieve a crunch.
It is a good idea to note that the boiling water shower alone does not miraculously render the chicken skin crispy. Instead, it serves as a preparatory step that sets the stage for the next cooking method, such as roasting or frying.
How to do it at home
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To utilize the boiling water shower method, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully lower the whole chicken or chicken pieces.
Once it hits the water, the chicken skin will begin to tighten and shrink back, and as the fat melts, the skin will start to appear colorless.Depending on the size and thickness of the meat, allow it to sit in the water for a few seconds.You don't want it to cook, so once you see the skin shrink and turn translucent, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer it from the water to a colander or a wire rack to drain any excess water. You can also use paper towels to soak up any remaining moisture before you move on to your chosen cooking method.
Alternatively, you can also put the chickenon a wire rack in a container and use a kettle to slowly pour the hot water over the chicken to avoid a dangerous backsplash. Whichever way you choose, your chicken will end up perfectly crispy.
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Certainly! The technique described in the article you mentioned, the boiling water shower method for crispy chicken, involves a process that's rooted in the principles of moisture reduction and skin tightening. Achieving that ideal crispy texture relies on minimizing moisture and fat content in the chicken skin before proceeding with the cooking method. This technique aids in preparing the chicken for subsequent cooking processes like roasting or frying.
First, let's delve into the concepts and components used in this method:
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Crispy Texture: This is the desired outcome, characterized by a satisfying crunch when biting into the chicken. It's achieved by reducing moisture and excess fat content in the chicken skin during preparation.
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Boiling Water Shower: This method involves pouring or submerging raw chicken in boiling water for a few seconds. The hot water tightens and shrinks the skin, reducing excess fat and moisture on the surface.
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Moisture Reduction: Moisture can impede the crisping process by causing steam during cooking. The boiling water helps to tighten the skin and reduce moisture, which aids in creating a crispy crust.
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Fat Reduction: Excessive fat content in the chicken skin can hinder achieving a crispy texture. The boiling water method helps melt away some fat, preventing greasiness and aiding in the crisping process.
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Preparatory Step: The boiling water shower isn't the final cooking step; instead, it primes the chicken for subsequent cooking methods like roasting or frying.
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Procedure: Bringing water to a rolling boil, carefully lowering the chicken into it, observing the skin tightening and becoming translucent, and then draining excess water are crucial steps. This prepares the chicken for the final cooking method.
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Draining Excess Moisture: After the boiling water treatment, draining excess moisture using a colander, wire rack, or paper towels is essential to ensure the chicken is ready for the next cooking phase.
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Safety Precautions: When pouring hot water over the chicken, using a kettle slowly and ensuring safety against splashes is advised.
This method aims to optimize the conditions for achieving a crispy chicken texture by addressing moisture and fat content in the skin before the final cooking step. It's a balance between moisture reduction, fat melting, and skin tightening to set the stage for that perfect crunch.
Understanding these concepts and following the precise steps ensures a successful outcome in achieving crispy chicken using the boiling water shower technique.
