How to make chicken breasts tender

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

Hi,
How do I make the chicken come out tender in a curry? Any tips?

I know I could have bought thighs but for some reason, I didn't

Pound them with a meat tenderised before frying and don’t overcook them.

I tend to use kitchen scissors to cut them up into really small pieces which seems to help chewability.

For some recipes I soak in cornstarch solution for a couple of hours. Then I rinse off.

Works wonders for stir fries . Not sure about curries

I cut in half lengthwise and then pound them a little bit.

Use thigh fillets rather than breast. Cook in liquid e.g. oven pour in some wine or stock.

@Aquamarine1029 I'm going to try that. I've tried the brine options with no luck previously

I would brown them first at a high temp till almost cooked through, and then add to the sauce at the end for just a few minutes to warm and cook right through.

Cover in yoghurt and spices overnight to tenderise, it really does help.

I make different types of curries, for some I poach a whole chicken first, it's always lovely and tender and you get a pot of stock! For others I just fry the strips but they are definitely firmer that way.

Simmer very gently, don’t boil, and they only need a very short cooking time.

Cool thr curry on a lowish heat for longer.

Cornflour and egg white for 15 mins before cooking. This was in a Ken Hom recipe and makes such a difference

Don't over cook

In a curry I would use bone in thighs not breast.

Marinate beforehand and don't overcook.

(and in future, use thighs!)

Poach them. I don't like thighs or bones (I know I know) so poach the breast first for a curry or for a tandoori style marinate in yoghurt, lemon and spice and don't over cook.