Chicken is a great source of lean protein, and it’s often a staple in the diets of healthy eaters. There are many different ways to cook chicken, and some are healthier than others. Two of the most popular ways to eat chicken are grilled and crispy. Let’s cover the differences between the two cooking methods and how to enjoy them in the healthiest, tastiest ways possible.
One of the healthiest ways to prepare chicken is on the grill. The excess fat drops off, so you get a lean piece of protein that can be served with a side of vegetables (they also taste great on the grill!). Plus, very few nutrients are lost during the grilling process. Grilled chicken is also tasty. It locks in moisture without having to add oil or butter. There are many great chicken recipes to experiment with, including it served up with fresh herbs, pineapple or barbecue sauce. Most of these recipes support a low fat, carb-healthy diet. One thing to be aware of is that the heat from the grill mixed with the proteins in the meat can cause the formation of carcinogenic compounds. To reduce this risk, you should marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes, pair it with vegetables or fruits (e.g., on a skewer) and reduce the grill’s temperature. Good chicken restaurants are aware of this and will watch temperatures.
Fried foods are tasty, but they are known for being high in fat and calories because of the oils they are cooked with. These unhealthy fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk for obesity. Plus, frying foods causes them to lose a lot of their nutrients, making the dishes even less healthy.
Even though fried foods aren’t as healthy as grilled foods, people love the rich flavors they get with this cooking method. Chicken, in particular, has crispy skin, flavorful rubs and moist insides. Fortunately, there are healthier ways to get fried chicken in New Jersey, Staten Island and now Florida!
At La Rosa Chicken and Grill, we use a Pressure fryer where meat and cooking oil are brought to high temperatures while pressure is held high enough to cook the food more quickly.
This decreases the amount of oil absorbed into the product creating a product, which is golden, crispy, tender and juicy with less overall fat content.
At home, we recommend using an air fryer to cook healthy fried chicken.
There are clear differences between grilling and frying chicken, but both methods can be healthy and delicious. The key is to follow good cooking practices and consider alternative frying methods. For nutritious, well-balanced meals, stop into the home of the best chicken - LaRosa Chicken and Grill.