Dry chicken/meat...any ideas?

[not2fat]

I usually cook my chicken or meat the previous night and then have to nuke it in the microwave at work the next day to heat it up...of course it's moist and delicious right after I make it, but dry the next day, due to the microwave. Any ideas on how to keep it moist? Thanks.

[DarkLotus]

Do you keep the chicken covered in the microwave? If not, try doing so. I heat leftover chicken inside the ziploc bags I store them in, it seems to keep it moister, but the bags do fall apart so use caution :daze:

[tofi]

Melt some butter over the chicken or eat the warmed chicken with mayo. Both help add to the flavour and fix the dry feel.

[hymntonink]

What I do is cook my chicken until it's not pink, and still very tender, almost where you can cook it a bit more to be done. Then when I reheat it yes I cover it up but heat it slowly on a lower heat setting. Turns out fine.

[DebPenny]

Another thing I do, in addition to heating it covered (in my plastic container), is I don't over-heat it. I just warm it, usually only about a minute for 6 ounces of chicken. It's plenty warm for eating, but not hot enough to cook all the juices out.

;-Deb
:daizy:

[Atrsy]

I hardly ever use plastic in my microwave anymore. I read that the microwaves actually send some of the plastic molecules right into your food. I put mine into a glass bowl and cover it with a plate. I still use plastic wrap to cover it sometimes, but try to avoid that too.

[DarkLotus]

I didn't know that! I guess I won't be doing that anymore! I recant my suggestion then :p

[DebPenny]

Actually, if you use "microwave safe" plastic dishes, you won't have that problem. A lot of people think that the "microwave safe" designation just means that they won't melt under high heat, but what it really means is that they won't outgas.

;-Deb
:daizy:

[DWRolfe]

Actually, I no longer "outgas" now that I live LC!

Donald

[rtjdk2]

My suggestion with dry out chicken is make chicken salad with it... thats what i do i cook boneless chicken breast one night and make chicken salad out of it the next day for lunch

Tammy

[angelfish]

Donald,

You are too funny! Thanks for the LOL. :roll:

Angelfish

[Isabel]

I sprinkle water on or under chicken when I reheat it in the microwave. I actually do this with most things I reheat in micro. It seems to help retain original texture as well as moisture.

[beccacat]

I have also found that when using a glass dish in the micro, a moist papertowel works pretty well as a cover too, if you're worried about melting plastic. Plus it helps to keep some moisture in as well.

(Finally, I get to contribute something useful here instead of just picking everyone else's brains! Yea! this is a red-letter-day!)

~Rebecca~

[Carianne]

I also do not use plastic in my microwave. I have come to love wax paper. Harmless stuff and does a great job at keeping in the moisture. Also, I put some bacon on my chicken, a slice of jack cheese and dip in ranch and nobody would ever have known I'm a terrible cook and that was some dry chicken! HA!