Easiest way to cook a single chicken breast for use cold tomorrow?

[GeorginaA]

Title says it all really. Want some cooked chicken for use in a recipe tomorrow, but usually use leftovers from a roast or spend a ridiculous amount on a piece of ready cooked chicken.

How do I cook a single skinless/boneless chicken breast? Microwave? In oven (but how long so it doesn't dry out)?

[Chandra]

What's tomorrow's recipe? I think the method depends on it.

[SenoraPostrophe]

wrap in foil with oil/butter and cook in the oven for about 30-40 mins.

Obviously check it's cooked.

[beansontoast]

bash it flat and pan fry/grill with garlicy oil and/or herbs

[beansontoast]

about ten mins!!less gas /electricity

[GeorginaA]

will be making chicken couscous tomorrow if that makes a difference (so couscous, onions peas etc then some cooked chicken mixed in at the end)

[pabla]

I always grill chicken breasts (cos my oven is useless). My kids like it sprinkled with paprika before grilling - or you could baste in oil. I think the main thing is to store it properly afterwards so it doesn't dry out in the fridge.

[suzywong]

oven cooked in foil then deffo and use the juices in the cous cous as well

[hunkermunker]

Do you want it cold in the couscous? I'd do it tomorrow while you're doing the veg for the couscous - chop the onion and fry that, then add the chopped raw chicken and cook it all.

Or is there a reason you can't do that? Am I being dense?!

[GeorginaA]

hmm... I tend to have it cold ready hunker, because it's usually our "quick" lunch (i.e. minimal cooking when we're a bit rushed). But you're right, there's no reason I couldn't cook it all in really. I do tend to have it really fine chopped up so that ds2 can eat it with us without extra chopping later.

Think I will oven cook tonight and stick in the fridge, just so I feel less rushed. Thanks all

[hunkermunker]

GA, that makes sense - I didn't know if there was a culinary reason it needed to be cold chicken!