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Chicken is a popular staple in many houses across the country, but making sure it's cooked to perfection without drying it out can be tricky to master. It can also be a protein that lacks flavour, depending on the cut of the bird.

Chicken breasts are notorious for being dry and flavourless when cooked at home, but a cooking expert has shared how one ingredient and technique can completely transform a bland chicken. What's even better is that you won't need to look far for it, as it's probably already in your fridge. In a recent TikTok video, NYT Cooking revealed that the ingredient is butter.

NYT Cooking's expert said: "Basting chicken breasts in butter is a smart way to add flavour and moisture to an otherwise lean and pretty mild protein."

Butter enhances chicken's flavour by acting as a carrier for other flavours, which are added to the pan, such as herbs, garlic, and spices, which are fat-soluble and infused into the chicken. The milk solids in butter also caramelise, adding a sweet and nutty taste.

Butter's fat content gives the chicken a rich flavour, while basting keeps it moist and tender.

To ensure the chicken is cooked to perfection, you want to get a decent sear on the breast in a pan, before turning the heat down and adding the butter, as well as any seasonings. When the butter begins to foam, take a spoon and pour it over the chicken.

NYT Cooking said: "What you get is a well-seasoned, golden chicken breast that has a light perfume of garlic and herbs."

Here's how you can elevate your chicken breast at home.

Ingredients

• 1½ to 2lbs/680g to 900g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
• 4 rosemary, thyme or sage sprigs, or a mix

Method