Cooking with infused olive oil is a great way to add flavor and depth to your dishes. When it comes to chicken, infused olive oil can be used in a variety of ways to take your dishes to the next level. In this blog post, we will explore how to use infused olive oil to cook chicken and enhance its flavor.

Marinade

Infused olive oil can be used as a marinade for chicken. To create a marinade, simply mix your infused olive oil with your choice of herbs and spices, along with some salt and pepper. You can also add some acid to help tenderize the meat, such as lemon juice or vinegar. Once you have your marinade ready, coat your chicken with it and let it sit for at least an hour, or overnight in the fridge, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. When you’re ready to cook, simply grill, bake, or sauté the chicken as usual.

Basting

Another way to use infused olive oil when cooking chicken is as a basting liquid. This works especially well when grilling or roasting chicken. Simply brush the chicken with the infused olive oil throughout the cooking process to keep it moist and add flavor. You can also add other ingredients to your basting liquid, such as garlic or rosemary, for even more depth of flavor.

Finishing

Infused olive oil can also be used as a finishing oil for chicken dishes. Once the chicken is cooked, drizzle some of your infused olive oil over the top for a burst of flavor. This works particularly well with dishes like chicken salads or pasta dishes, where the oil can be used as a final garnish.

Types of Infused Olive Oil

There are many types of infused olive oil available on the market, each with its own unique flavor profile. Some popular options for cooking chicken include garlic-infused olive oil, rosemary-infused olive oil, lemon-infused olive oil, and chili-infused olive oil. You can also experiment with creating your own flavor combinations by infusing your olive oil with your favorite herbs and spices.

Tips for Using Infused Olive Oil

When cooking with infused olive oil, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to get the best results:

• Choose a high-quality oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil as the base for your infusion.
• Store properly: Infused olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place to preserve its flavor and prevent it from going rancid.
• Don’t overheat: Infused olive oil can lose its flavor if heated to high temperatures, so it’s best to use it for low to medium heat cooking or as a finishing oil.
• Use sparingly: Infused olive oil is potent, so a little goes a long way. Use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the other flavors in your dish.

Conclusion

Infused olive oil is a versatile ingredient that can take your chicken dishes to the next level. Whether you’re using it as a marinade, basting liquid, or finishing oil, infused olive oil adds depth and flavor to your chicken dishes. Experiment with different flavors and combinations to find your favorites, and remember to use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the other flavors in your dish.