How To Grill Chicken Without A Grill Or Grill Pan
Grilling has always been one of the healthier ways of preparing food. It eliminates the need to use oil like when we fry and removes a significant amount of fat from the meat for a lower cholesterol diet. But grilling can be laborious. You will have to prepare the grill, the charcoal, and whatnot. Besides, not too many people have the luxury of space to set up a grill. Not all hope is lost even if you do not have space, nor a grill pan. Here, we will teach you how to grill chicken without a grill or grill pan and a couple of tasty truths about grilling.
The 3 Wonders of Grilled Food
Just before we get to learn other ways on how to grill chicken without a grill or grill pan, let’s take a closer look at the great benefits of grilled food:
Lower Fat
We can’t say it enough. Grilling is one of the best ways to reduce fat in your food. It’s not just because grilling requires lesser fat to cook meat or veggies but the excess fat within oozes in the process. Plus, for the best-tasting grill, all you will ever need is to dump some olive oil and a little seasoning, and you're off for a gastronomic feast.
Higher Nutritional Value
Prolong exposure to heat leads to the degradation of nutrients in food. But this isn't the case with grilling. Grilling cooks food quicker than any other method; thus, conserving most of its natural nutrition. This holds especially true for vegetables. While stewing and boiling are also great at keeping cooking oil at bay, the vitamins and minerals seep into the water, if not lost due to high temperature. Need I say more?
Enhance Meat Flavor
Ever wondered why grilled foods are irresistible? Its exquisiteness is not just a matter of perception; there is a science behind it. Grilling generates various flavor compounds through the process called Maillard browning. The exposure to direct, high, dry heat breaks down the amino acids within foods along with sugar and carbohydrate, releasing some very unique flavors that you cannot get from other cooking methods.
Grill Pan Alternatives
Going back to our grilled chicken, if you don't have grill pans, that’s not a problem. Here’s how to grill chicken without a grill or grill pan
Use A Griddle Pan
This cooking ware is a broad metal plate or pan with elevated ridges responsible for the crisscross lines on your grilled food. The use of a griddle pan is one of the easiest ways on how to grill chicken without a grill or grill pan.
You can employ various means of heating a griddle pan like charcoal, gas, or electricity. It's a flexible cooking device that you'll surely love to have. Of course, you can grill whatever food you want to grill, like chicken meat!
Cast-Iron Skillet Works Just Fine
What’s great about grilling is you can make do with the cooking wares you have in your kitchen. So, if you have a cast-iron skillet, let’s get ready to grill.
A skillet can be made of iron, copper, aluminum or steel, and is a flat, round cooking device. It is originally intended for sautéing and shallow frying but works great in grilling. Unlike the griddle, skillets do not have ridges. Instead, it is a bit deeper, so it retains all the juices from your food.
With a skillet, you can make well-done grilled chicken meat and wonderfully charred vegetables. To use a skillet for grilling, make sure it is hot enough and seasoned well before tossing in your chicken or veggies. The end product will be wonderfully charred.
What Are Oven Broilers For
If you don't feel like starting a backyard grill but wishes for a grilled chicken for dinner, your oven broiler comes in handy. It has a broil function that can grill most food, be it meat, poultry or vegetables. Grilling through the oven does not disappoint, as it produces a nicely grilled meat with its natural juices all preserved.
To use a broiler for grilling, preheat the oven for a couple of minutes. While waiting, prep your pan by drizzling it with oil before putting the meat on. When the broiler is adequately heated, put the pan inside the oven and leave a small tiny opening as you close the oven door. This is to prevent the temperature from getting too high and burn the food.
Because the heating pads on broilers are placed on top, you can flip the meat halfway through, so it cooks evenly. When grilling vegetables, constantly check them as they easily burn when exposed to high temperatures. Know more about grill pans.
Conclusion
Like our favorite grilled chicken, grilled food is truly gastronomic delights with its tender, juicy meat and unique flavor. Who would not want to relish this dish more often? Since we have taught you how to grill chicken without a grill or grill pan, the lack of a grill should no longer hinder you from enjoying these types of food. We would love it when you eat to your heart’s desire. Hence, we provide you with creative ways of grilling.
