A Boiling Water Shower Does Wonders For Crispy Chicken Skin
Everyone loves the satisfying crunch of crispy chicken, yet achieving that perfect texture can be elusive. Thankfully, the boiling water shower is a tried-and-true technique for consistently achieving crackling goodness. All you need to do is either pour boiling water on your raw chicken or submerge it in bubbling water for a few seconds. The hot water helps tighten and shrink the skin, effectively reducing excess fat and moisture.
This is important because the presence of moisture and fat can hinder the crisping process. Moisture can lead to the formation of steam during cooking, making it harder to create a crispy crust. On the other hand, an abundance of fat can result in greasiness, making it just as difficult to achieve a crunch.
It is a good idea to note that the boiling water shower alone does not miraculously render the chicken skin crispy. Instead, it serves as a preparatory step that sets the stage for the next cooking method, such as roasting or frying.
How to do it at home
To utilize the boiling water shower method, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully lower the whole chicken or chicken pieces.
Once it hits the water, the chicken skin will begin to tighten and shrink back, and as the fat melts, the skin will start to appear colorless. Depending on the size and thickness of the meat, allow it to sit in the water for a few seconds. You don't want it to cook, so once you see the skin shrink and turn translucent, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer it from the water to a colander or a wire rack to drain any excess water. You can also use paper towels to soak up any remaining moisture before you move on to your chosen cooking method.
Alternatively, you can also put the chicken on a wire rack in a container and use a kettle to slowly pour the hot water over the chicken to avoid a dangerous backsplash. Whichever way you choose, your chicken will end up perfectly crispy.