No one likes dry chicken, but it happens all too easily if you overcook the dish – and chefs are recommending you add a 65p staple to keep it juicy every single time
You can ensure your chicken dishes remain succulent every time by incorporating one ingredient before cooking. Chicken is famously challenging to cook to perfection. Undercooking risks food poisoning, yet the anxiety surrounding undercooked poultry frequently leads people to overcook it – resulting in dry, tough, and unappetising meat.
Achieving that perfect balance of thoroughly cooked chicken that remains juicy and tender isn’t straightforward, and social media is awash with countless tips and tricks aimed at helping people master the art of cooking the poultry properly. One such cooking technique on TikTok has recently gained widespread attention, as it claims to deliver “the juiciest chicken breast you’ve ever had” – and requires just one 65p ingredient you’ve likely got sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
The tip was posted by Arash Hashemi, a self-taught cook who frequently shares keto-friendly recipes that are rich in protein and minimal in carbohydrates. Following a protein-heavy diet means Arash requires his meals to be flavourful, and his chicken method ensures it’s consistently perfectly moist.
He said: “This is the secret to the juiciest chicken breast you’ve ever had. These are practically dripping with juice.”
Arash started by seasoning his chicken, opting for herbs and spices including paprika and oregano, alongside yoghurt and lemon juice, though you can customise this to your preference.
However, in his marinade, he included one particular ingredient that helped guarantee his chicken would remain juicy – baking soda.
Baking soda is an effective tenderiser for chicken that functions by increasing the surface pH level of the meat. This stops the proteins from contracting and releasing moisture during cooking, ensuring your chicken remains juicy and tender.
Commenters on the post were astonished by the straightforward trick, with numerous people admitting they had no clue that achieving juicy chicken was as simple as incorporating one ingredient into their marinade.
One person said: “Baking soda on every chicken from now on. What?!”
Another added: “I wanna say thank you so much for posting this video. I have this for dinner, and my chicken came out sooooo tender and juicy. I’ve been cooking chicken wrong the whole time.”
How to cook a chicken breast
Arash also proceeded to detail precisely how he prepares his chicken breast to ensure it turns out juicy. Firstly, he ensures his chicken is at room temperature before cooking, which means removing it from the fridge for a short while.
Don’t leave chicken out for an extended period, as this can allow bacteria to develop and raise your risk of food poisoning. But allowing it to rest while you prepare the remainder of your meal is acceptable.
He then placed the chicken in a frying pan with some oil, cooking it over a medium heat with a lid on for three minutes. After the time had elapsed, he turned it over, replaced the lid, and cooked for a further seven minutes.
He then removed the chicken from the pan and allowed it to rest for five minutes before serving. Bon appetit!

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