Halogen ovens have many uses; perhaps one of the best is cooking chicken. Compared to a conventional oven, their halogen counterparts can do it quicker and oftentimes with much less hassle.
If you want to experiment with this but don’t know where to start, relax! We have created a simple guide on how to cook a chicken in a halogen oven below.
Possible Ingredients
The ingredients are pretty basic, but there is room for personal tastes and different seasoning:
- Whole chicken (the size depends on how many you are feeding)
- Salt & pepper
- Mixed herbs
- Stuffing
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Lemon
Make sure you know the weight or size of the chicken, as the cooking time can vary. We are basing this guide on a medium-sized chicken.
The main issue with chicken is that it can turn out a little dry and bland. Therefore, basic seasoning is essential. We would always recommend using salt and pepper and then rubbing herbs on the skin. Some people like lemon juice — just use whatever seasoning you like the best!
Preparation
Preparation is important so that your chicken will cook properly and taste great. The basic steps include the following:
- Make sure the whole chicken is fully defrosted
- Remove any giblets
- Season the skin with salt & pepper
- Add additional seasoning by rubbing mixed herbs into the skin.
- Consider adding something flavoursome, like lemon juice
Defrosting and removing the giblets are imperative! A partially frozen chicken could result in salmonella, and upset stomachs and giblets are generally revolting but can make excellent stock!
How to Cook a Chicken in a Halogen Oven
This guide is for a whole chicken — if you’re wondering how to cook chicken portions in a halogen oven, simply adjust the timing according to the size of your pieces. The basic steps are listed below, but remember to read the specific instructions for your appliance.
- Place the chicken upside down on the bottom rack of your halogen oven
- Set the temperature to 292F or 200C
- Initially, cook for between 35 to 40 minutes
- Check the cooking process quickly to avoid heat loss
- Turn the chicken the right way up
- Cook for another 25 minutes
- Check it has properly cooked
- If so, remove the stuffing
- Let the chicken rest for 20 minutes
- Serve and enjoy!
Your halogen oven may even have a preset open for roast chicken – if it does, we would advise using that! If not, a temperature of 200C and an initial cooking time of 40 minutes is a great starting point.
Turning the chicken upside down ensures that it cooks properly and that juices can drain off initially. After a first check, place the chicken in the halogen oven quickly to avoid heat loss.
You know when it is cooked when the juices run clear. If they are still pinkish, this means it is not ready. We also advise using a meat thermometer to check the temperature inside the roast chicken.
If your halogen oven has an extension ring, it is a great idea to use it. This will give your chicken more space, so it will fully cook easily. It’s also important to let it sit for 20 minutes – this allows the juices to redistribute for maximum flavour.
Make a Delicious Centrepiece for Your Roast Dinner Today!
As you can see, cooking a chicken in a halogen oven is pretty straightforward. Just remember that the cooking time will differ depending on the size of your bird. Seasoning herbs or lemon are entirely optional. Perhaps you prefer something different to give your chicken a little extra flavour, and that’s perfect too!
