Coating Chicken With Mayo: A Mess-Free Guide

Coating chicken with mayonnaise is a great way to lock in moisture, enhance flavour, and create a crispy exterior. However, it can be a messy process, and not everyone is a fan of mayonnaise's rich and tangy flavour. Luckily, there are several alternatives to mayonnaise that can be used to coat chicken, including Greek yoghurt, mustard, olive oil, and hummus. These substitutes can provide a lighter, healthier, or more creative option for your recipes. By using these alternatives, you can still achieve moist, flavourful, and perfectly coated chicken without the mess and overpowering taste of mayonnaise.

Use a light coating of mayo

Using a light coating of mayonnaise on chicken is a great way to lock in moisture, enhance flavour, and create a crispy exterior. A thin layer of mayo also helps other marinade ingredients spread evenly across the surface of the meat, delivering more consistent flavour and improving browning.

When using a light coating of mayo, it's important to remember that a little goes a long way. A thin layer of mayo will do the trick; there's no need to drench the chicken in it. If you use too much mayo, it can affect the texture of the coating, making it mushy instead of crispy.

To achieve a light coating, you can try a few different methods. One way is to brush the mayo onto the chicken with a pastry brush, ensuring an even and thin layer. Another method is to dip the chicken into a bowl of mayo, lightly coating all sides. You can also spread the mayo with a spatula or the back of a spoon, taking care not to apply too much pressure.

If you're concerned about making a mess, you can use a few techniques to minimise the messiness. One idea is to use a shallow bowl that is only slightly larger than the chicken piece you're coating. This way, you can control the amount of mayo in the bowl and avoid excess splatter. You can also use one hand to hold the chicken and the other to spread or brush the mayo, keeping your hands cleaner.

Remember, when using a light coating of mayo, you can always add other ingredients to boost flavour and texture. Herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs can be combined with the mayo or used as a coating after the mayo layer. This way, you get the benefits of mayo without using a large quantity.

Try healthier mayo alternatives

Mayonnaise is calorie-dense, with around 90 calories per tablespoon, mostly from fat. If you're looking for healthier alternatives to use in your chicken coating, there are several options to consider.

Greek yoghurt is a popular mayonnaise substitute. It has a similar creamy texture and tangy flavour that complements chicken. It is lower in calories and fat and offers a significant protein boost. It also helps the seasonings, breadcrumbs, or spices adhere to the chicken.

Mustard is another excellent alternative. It acts as an adhesive for breadcrumbs or spices and adds a zesty flavour. It is lower in calories and fat compared to mayonnaise. There are various mustards available, including Dijon, yellow, grainy, and honey mustard, allowing for endless customisation.

Olive oil is another alternative that can be used in place of mayonnaise in dishes, although it may alter the taste and texture of the final product. It can help increase your intake of healthy fats and is suitable for recipes like pasta salad, dips, salad dressings, and condiments.

Hummus is another option with a distinct flavour from chickpeas and tahini. It is just as creamy and can be used as a sandwich spread or tossed with tuna salad.

Other alternatives include mashed avocado, which offers a creamy texture and healthy fats, and sour cream, which adds a fresh zip of flavour to recipes.

Mix mayo with other ingredients

When coating chicken with mayonnaise, you can mix the mayonnaise with a variety of other ingredients to enhance the flavour and create a crispy exterior. Here are some ideas for ingredients to mix with mayonnaise:

Mustard

Mustard is an excellent alternative to mayonnaise and can also be used in combination with it. The natural stickiness of mustard helps coatings stay in place, and it adds a zesty flavour to the dish. You can experiment with different types of mustard like Dijon, yellow, grainy, or honey mustard to find your preferred flavour.

Lemon juice

Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the mayonnaise mixture can help seal in the moisture and add a tangy flavour to the chicken.

Parmesan cheese

Mixing mayonnaise with Parmesan cheese creates a creamy and flavourful mixture that can be spread over chicken breasts. You can also sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top before baking for a crispy and cheesy finish.

Spices and herbs

You can add various spices and herbs to the mayonnaise mixture to enhance the flavour of the chicken. Some options include garlic, rosemary, oregano, paprika, black pepper, Tuscan seasoning, and herbes de Provence.

Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is a healthy alternative to mayonnaise, with a lower calorie and fat content while offering a significant protein boost. It has a creamy texture similar to mayonnaise and its tangy flavour complements the natural taste of chicken. You can season the Greek yogurt with herbs like oregano, paprika, or garlic powder to add extra flavour.

Chimichurri

Whisking together mayonnaise and chimichurri creates a delicious marinade for chicken cutlets. The chicken can be grilled or cooked in a skillet, resulting in a deeply flavoured dish with a beautiful crust.

Use a brush to apply mayo

Using a brush to apply mayonnaise to chicken is a great way to ensure an even coating without creating a mess. This method is especially useful when preparing dishes like Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake or Mayo-Marinated Chicken with Chimichurri, where the mayonnaise is used as a base for the marinade or coating.

• Prepare your workstation by gathering all the necessary ingredients and utensils, including a clean brush dedicated to basting. Having everything within reach will help streamline the process and reduce the chances of creating a mess.
• Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish or pan. If you're making a dish that involves a marinade, such as the Mayo-Marinated Chicken with Chimichurri, add the chicken to the marinade and turn to coat evenly.
• Pour the desired amount of mayonnaise into a small bowl. If you're using mayonnaise as a base for a marinade, whisk it together with other ingredients like chimichurri, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, or spices of your choice.
• Using your brush, gently dip it into the mayonnaise or mayonnaise mixture. Ensure you use a separate bowl or container for the mayonnaise to avoid cross-contamination.
• Start brushing the mayonnaise onto the chicken pieces. Apply a light coating, ensuring the entire surface of the chicken is covered. Remember, a thin layer of mayonnaise is usually sufficient, as too much can affect the final texture and taste of your dish.
• If your recipe calls for additional coatings, such as breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, or spices, apply them after brushing on the mayonnaise. This will help the coatings adhere well to the chicken.
• Once you've evenly coated the chicken with mayonnaise and any additional ingredients, you can proceed with the cooking instructions specified in your recipe.

By following these steps and using a brush to apply mayonnaise, you can efficiently coat chicken without creating a mess. This technique ensures a consistent coating, enhancing the flavor and texture of your chicken dish.

Coat chicken in mayo before grilling

Coating chicken in mayonnaise before grilling can be a messy affair, but there are ways to minimise the mess. Firstly, it's important to note that a light coating of mayonnaise is all that's needed. Too much mayonnaise will be noticeable in the final dish and may make the chicken mushy.

To avoid mess, place the chicken in a large bowl and add the mayonnaise and other ingredients, such as mustard, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, and spices. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. You can also add other dry ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, or panko crumbs, to the bowl and mix again.

Another method is to brush the mayonnaise mixture onto the chicken breasts, ensuring an even coating. You can then sprinkle on additional dry ingredients, such as cheese or breadcrumbs, and press them onto the chicken to ensure they stick.

For a mess-free option, you can also use a plastic bag. Place the chicken and the mayonnaise mixture into the bag, seal it, and shake well to ensure an even coating. You can then add any additional dry ingredients and shake again.

Finally, remember to clean up as you go. Have a damp cloth or kitchen roll handy to wipe up any spills or drops of mayonnaise, and ensure your work surfaces are clean and dry before you start.

Frequently asked questions