When cooking chicken on the stove, a common question that arises is whether or not you should cover the chicken while it cooks. There are pros and cons to covering chicken during stove-top cooking that are important to consider.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that it depends on what outcome you want. Leaving chicken uncovered as it cooks on the stove will result in crispy, browned skin from evaporation. Covering chicken will steam it and make the meat very moist and tender. So for crispy skin, leave it uncovered. For tender, moist meat, cover it.
Does Covering Chicken Help It Cook Faster?
Covering chicken while cooking on the stove can decrease the cooking time slightly since the lid traps steam and heat to speed up cooking. However, the difference is fairly minimal. Cooking with a lid only decreases cooking time by about 5-15 minutes typically for bone-in, skin-on chicken parts.
Here are some estimates for cooking times with and without a lid:
| Chicken Cut | Uncovered Time | Covered Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 15-20 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
| Chicken thighs | 20-25 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Drumsticks | 25-30 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
As you can see, the cooking time differences are not dramatic. Covering chicken does speed up cooking slightly, but not immensely. The more significant impacts are on moisture and texture.
Should You Cover Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts should always be cooked covered on the stove. Without the skin and bones, boneless breasts easily dry out when cooked uncovered. Covering them as they cook keeps the moisture in.
Cover boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a tight fitting lid the entire time they cook. You can test for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of a breast to ensure it is fully cooked through. Covering them the whole time results in very moist, tender meat.
Should You Cover Chicken With Skin?
For bone-in, skin-on parts like chicken thighs, drumsticks, wings, etc. it depends on whether you want crispy skin or not. Leaving them uncovered for the majority of the cooking will let the skin get crispy and browned from evaporation. Covering them the entire time results in soft, soggy skin.
If crispy skin is your goal, leave them uncovered for about 75% of the cooking time. Finish cooking covered for 5-10 minutes at the end to ensure the meat is fully cooked through. This gives you the best of both worlds – crispy skin and fully cooked meat.
Does Covering Chicken Make it More Tender?
Covering chicken while cooking does result in more tender, moist meat. The steam created from the lid traps moisture and heat, essentially braising the chicken gently so the meat softens and tenderizes. The meat will be very moist and fall-off-the-bone tender from cooking it covered.
If you want chicken with a tender texture, covering it for most or all of the cooking time works well. Be sure to use a tight fitting lid to keep the steam and moisture inside.
Should You Add Liquid When Covering?
You do not need to add any liquid to the pan when covering chicken on the stove. The chicken will release its natural juices and fats when heated, creating plenty of liquid to form steam under the lid. Avoid adding water or broth, as it will make the chicken soggy.
The exception is if you are cooking a whole cut up chicken. For a whole chicken, add about 1 cup of liquid like wine, broth, or water to the bottom of the pan before cooking. The large amount of meat benefits from some extra moisture. For chicken parts or bone-in breasts, no added liquid is necessary.
Tips for Crispy Chicken Skin When Covered
If you want crispy skin along with moist, tender meat, here are some tips:
- Leave the chicken uncovered for the first 50-60% of cooking time.
- Finish cooking covered for 10-15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels before cooking to remove excess moisture.
- Use a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel.
- Preheat the pan before adding chicken so it sizzles immediately.
Tips for Moist, Tender Chicken When Covered
For super tender and moist chicken cooked covered the whole time, follow these tips:
- Use a tight fitting lid so steam stays trapped.
- Use a pan just large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer.
- Cook over medium-low heat to avoid burning.
- Add aromatics like garlic, herbs, or citrus under the lid.
- Let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Covering chicken while cooking on the stove has a few advantages and disadvantages that depend on the results you want. Leaving it uncovered creates crispy, browned skin from evaporation but can lead to drier meat. Covering chicken keeps the meat very moist and tender, but can cause soft and soggy skin.
For the best of both worlds, leave chicken uncovered for about 75% of the cooking time, then finish covered for 10-15 minutes. This crisps up the skin but also allows the meat to cook through fully. Use a tight fitting lid for maximum steaming and tenderness. Consider what texture you want, then decide whether to leave your chicken covered or uncovered on the stove.