PREPARATION METHODS
Chicken can be prepared in many different ways. The most important thing to know about chicken preparation is that chicken always has to be thoroughly cooked. Raw chicken can carry diseases and heat kills bacteria. Therefore, you should check the temperature of chicken meat to make sure it is fully cooked. You can do this with a meat thermometer. Insert it in the thickest part such as thigh or breast. Chicken is fully cooked when its temperature is  170 degrees F in the breast and 180 degrees F in the thigh.


TEMPERATURE CONVERSION

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Here are some preparation methods.

FRYING
Frying chicken is not the healthiest way to prepare chicken,but it really tastes great. You can pan fry or deep fry the chicken. First, the chicken is covered with flour, crumbs or batter . Often people put spices to get better flavor. Then the chicken is dipped in the very hot oil.Chicken should be fried until its color is brownish gold. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Chicken are fried in pieces. It is important to make sure that chicken is done before eating it.
STEWING AND BRAISING
Braising and stewing are the same thing. Chicken is cut in pieces. Then, it is browned in oil. Then browned pieces are placed in the pot or a pan and covered with liquid. Liquid is brought to boiling. Then, heat is reduced and chicken is slowly cooked until it is done.
SAUTEING
To saute chicken it should be cut in pieces. The best chicken part to saute is the breast. First a little oil is heated in the pan. Then, chicken is coated with flour. Then, chicken is placed in the pan and sauteed until it is golden color. It should be turned often.
POACHING
Poaching is a healthy way to cook chicken because it does not use fats. This method of preparation is great for stewing hens and tough meat.Chicken is poached in some liquid such as water or a chicken broth. Pieces of chicken and vegetables are placed in the pan and then covered with liquid. First, liquid is brought to the boiling point and then the heat is lowered. Chicken continues to cook in the low heat until it is done.
STEAMING
Steaming is a good way to cook small chicken (for example Cornish Hens). This is very healthy because there is no oil or fat used. To steam chicken it needs to be placed in the steamer. Then, the steamer is placed over boiling water. It is important that the water does not come into steamer. It should take only 15 to 20 minutes and you should check the temperature of the chicken to check if it is done.
ROASTING
 OR
 BAKING
Chicken can be roasted in the oven. For this, temperature of the oven should be at least 350 degreed F. Roasting time depends on the size of the chicken. A small chicken of about 3  to 4 ponds will take about an hour and a half. Sometimes people stuff the chicken and then roast it. If you do this make sure that it is completely done. You should check the temperature of both chicken and the stuffing ( chicken should be about 180 degrees F and stuffing should be about 165 degrees F)
GRILLING
All chicken parts can be prepared on the grill. You can use grills with propane or with charcoal. Grilling chicken is healthy because it does not add fat. It also lets chicken have a great flavor. Dark meat takes longer time to grill than the white meat. It takes about an hour and a half for a whole chicken to grill completely. Always check the temperature to make sure chicken is grilled completely. Cutting up chicken and grilling it will save time and make your grilling quicker.