Should You Sear Chicken Before Baking? The Benefits Explained

Searing chicken before baking is a technique that more home cooks should consider trying. While searing chicken may seem like an unnecessary extra step, there are actually several benefits to taking the time to brown the chicken prior to baking it. In this article, we’ll explain what searing is, why you should sear chicken breasts before popping them in the oven, and how to sear chicken properly.

What is Searing Chicken?

Searing means quickly turning the outside of meat brown over high heat. You cook the outside of the chicken at a high temperature when you sear it, which browns it through a process called the Maillard reaction. The brown color and rich, complex flavors of seared meat come from the reaction between amino acids and sugars.

While searing, the inside stays moist and the outside gets a caramelized crust. It brings out flavors that can’t be reached by oven roasting alone. It’s common to sear meat in a pan on the stove, but you can also do it under the broiler.

Why Should You Sear Chicken Before Baking?

There are a few key benefits to searing chicken before baking it:

1. Enhanced Flavor

As mentioned above, searing chicken leads to the Maillard reaction which gives chicken a deeper, more savory flavor. The brown crust that forms adds a dimension of flavor you simply can’t achieve by baking chicken alone. Many chefs swear by searing for boosting flavor.

2. Better Texture

Searing chicken not only makes it taste better, but it also makes it texture better. It helps break down the fat and makes the outside crispy. The high heat firms up and caramelizes the surface. Seared and baked chicken tastes great because the outside is crispy and the inside is juicy.

3. Faster Cooking

Searing chicken first shortens the cooking time in the oven The head start from searing on the stovetop means the chicken doesn’t need to bake as long This leads to juicier meat since it spends less time drying out in the oven,

4. Appearance

The attractive brown crust from searing also improves the appearance of baked chicken. Chicken that is simply roasted in the oven often looks pale and unappetizing. But chicken that emerges from the oven with a crispy, burnished exterior looks far more delicious.

5. Locks in Juices

When you sear chicken, the high heat partially coagulates the proteins on the outside. This makes a barrier that keeps the chicken moist while it bakes. This barrier keeps the juices inside, so the meat stays tender and juicy.

How to Sear Chicken Before Baking

To sear chicken breasts before baking, just follow these simple steps:

• Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels. Drying the surface helps ensure a nice sear.

• Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper or any other spices you want

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. A nonstick or cast iron skillet works best.

• When the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken breasts skin-side down. Let cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned.

• Flip and sear the second side for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

• Transfer the seared chicken to a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven until fully cooked through. Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes if the breasts are 1 inch thick.

• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Searing really only takes 5-10 minutes total. But it makes a huge difference in terms of flavor and texture for baked chicken breasts. Once you try it, you’ll find it’s worth that extra bit of time.

The key is getting the pan hot before adding the chicken so it browns rather than steams. Don’t overcrowd the pan, and let the chicken sear without moving it so you get an evenly caramelized crust.

For best results, pat the chicken dry before searing. And resist the urge to keep flipping and moving it during searing. Just a sear per side is all you need.

While searing in a pan is most common, you can also sear chicken under the broiler. Simply place seasoned chicken on a sheet pan, broil for a few minutes per side until browned, then transfer to the oven to finish baking.

So if you aren’t already searing your chicken before baking, we definitely recommend giving it a try! It takes little effort but yields big rewards in terms of flavor and texture. Once you discover how much better your baked chicken tastes, you’ll never go back to simply baking it plain again. Let us know if you have any other questions!