Chicken for beginners — 5 simple mistakes and how to avoid them

Chicken is one of the most beloved ingredients in Greek cuisine. It can be cooked in the oven, in a pot, on the grill or in a pan, and each time it can become a different, delicious family meal. But chicken can easily trip up a novice cook: it can dry out, turn bland or cook unevenly.

If you want to serve juicy, tender and safe chicken every time, take a look at the 5 most common mistakes - and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: You wash the chicken in the sink
Many people think they should “rinse it”. In reality, this spreads bacteria onto countertops and utensils.

✔ What to do:
Simply open the package, gently pat the chicken dry with paper towels and move on to preparation. Cooking will kill all the germs.

Mistake 2: You put the chicken in the oven/pan while it is still cold

Cold chicken cooks unevenly: it dries out on the outside and remains “undercooked” inside.

✔ What to do:

Leave it out of the fridge for 20–30 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.

Mistake 3: You don't dry it before cooking

If the surface is wet, the chicken steams instead of browning.

✔ What to do:

Pat it very dry with paper towels before adding oil or spices, or placing it on the grill.

Mistake 4: You don't season it enough with salt and pepper

Chicken has a mild flavor - it needs proper seasoning.

✔ What to do:
Season generously all over, even under the skin if you're cooking a whole chicken.
Want a bolder flavor? Try simple marinades with:

• yogurt and lemon
• mustard, honey and paprika
• olive oil, garlic and herbs

Mistake 5: You overcook it because you're afraid it might “be raw”.

Overcooking is the number one problem: the chicken dries out and becomes tough.

✔ What to do:

Follow these simple guidelines:

• Chicken breast fillet: 20–25 minutes in the oven at 200°C
• Chicken thighs: 35–45 minutes
• Whole chicken: 1 hour and 15’ – 1 hour and 40’, depending on its weight

You can also make a small cut at the thickest part to see how well it has cooked.

Conclusion

Good chicken doesn't take much effort - it just needs proper preparation. With these 5 simple tips, you'll see a huge difference in the results: tender, juicy, delicious and safe for the whole family.