Which vegetables are best steamed?

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, artichokes, zucchini and green beans are great choices because they’re sturdier and won’t turn to mush too easily. Leafy greens — baby bok choy, spinach and Chinese broccoli — also steam up nicely but take less time.

The best temperature to bake chicken breasts at is 425 degrees F. Cooking them fast at a higher temperature seals in the juices and the key to caramelization.

Yes you can cook chicken in the steamer, but a few points worth considering first.

Broccoli is high in many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. It also boasts more protein than most other vegetables. This green veggie can be enjoyed both raw and cooked, but recent research shows that gentle steaming provides the most health benefits ( 1 , 2 ).

Should you salt water when steaming vegetables? Unlike pasta, steamed vegetables are best cooked with unsalted water. Instead, season them once they’re done cooking. We love a buttery, lightly salted steamed veggie, but you can also add a handful of fresh chopped herbs or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

When the onion pieces or whole onions are steamed to perfection, they are soft, clear and so tasty without any crunch. They will be mild in flavor and great to use on their own or to add to other dishes, such as burgers or tacos. Steam sliced onions for 15-20 minutes or whole onions for 40-50 minutes.

If you’re steaming frozen chicken — which works well — don’t peek for at least 15 minutes. Any type of steamer works to cook the chicken. You can even improvise a steamer by placing a metal colander above boiling water and covering it with a lid.

Water is not the only liquid that can be used when steaming. Many people like adding some lemon juice, wine, soy sauce or other liquids to the water to add flavor to the vegetables. You can also throw in a fresh sprig of thyme, rosemary or other herbs. A slice of onion or garlic also adds a mellow flavor to the dish.

When cooking chicken straight from the freezer, you want to cook for 50 percent longer than you would with unfrozen. The average unfrozen chicken breast weighing 5-7 ounces usually takes 20-30 minutes at 350F. So for a frozen chicken breast, you’re looking at 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast.

Given that chicken is low in calories but high in protein, it may be especially beneficial for weight loss, if that’s a goal for you. Studies show that increasing your intake of protein may enhance feelings of fullness, increase weight loss, and help maintain lean body mass ( 5 , 6 , 7 ).

Cooking (Or Not Cooking) Broccoli To Protect Its Nutritional Riches : The Salt Cooking broccoli too long destroys the beneficial enzyme that breaks down chemicals into cancer fighters. The best way to eat it is raw or steamed for just two to three minutes, a nutrition expert says.

Roast Low & Slow: Roasting at 200F keeps the meat from seizing up and squeezing out lots of juice, a risk you run with high oven temps. The chicken’s temperature rises slowly, so you’re less likely to overcook it. And roasting it skin-side up dries the skin even more before the pan-browning. 4.

Pour about an inch of water into a skillet or wok and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Put the broccoli florets in a steamer basket and season with salt. Set the steamer basket over boiling water and cook until the broccoli is crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes depending on the size of the florets.

Place fresh herbs like basil or dill on top of your produce to steam (use a steamer with a deep handle to be sure vegetables are completely covered with water). Coat the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper before steaming to lock in flavor.

Chicken can be steamed with a traditional steamer that fits on top of a saucepan, by using a rack that sits in the bottom of a tightly covered pan, suspending the chicken above the water, or by the use of an electric steamer.