Q: I fry chicken in a cast-iron skillet. Should chicken be covered at any time while it is frying?

A: There are as many ways to fry chickens as there are feathers on a bird, so any answer to this question is likely to start a debate.

However, many cooks who pan-fry (as opposed to deep-fry) usually do cover the chicken for the first half of the cooking time.

The idea is that by covering the skillet and cooking over a slightly lower temperature, you capture steam and give the chicken time to cook all the way through. Then you remove the cover and increase the heat a little to allow the skin to get crisp and brown.

Either way, it’s also a good idea to cook the chicken in a couple of batches, so you don’t overcrowd the pan.

About the Author

Featured

Delta employees are under investigation because of content “related to the recent murder of activist Charlie Kirk” that “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate,” CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a companywide memo Friday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez