Do you cover a chicken when bake it?

Whether you cover a chicken when you bake it depends on what you're trying to achieve:

Covering the chicken:

* Keeps the chicken moist: The steam trapped under the foil or lid helps keep the chicken juicy and tender. This is especially important for smaller chickens or if you're baking it at a higher temperature.

* Speeds up cooking: Covering the chicken traps heat and helps it cook faster.

* Creates a crispier skin: This is a bit counterintuitive, but covering the chicken initially helps the skin become more tender and then allows it to crisp up better when you uncover it for the last part of the baking.

Not covering the chicken:

* Allows the skin to brown and crisp: Exposing the chicken to direct heat helps it brown beautifully and get crispy skin.

* Creates a more intense flavor: The browning process concentrates the chicken's natural flavors.

Here's a general approach:

1. Cover for the first part of cooking: Cover the chicken for about half the baking time to promote moisture and speed up cooking.

2. Uncover for the last part of cooking: Uncover the chicken for the final 15-20 minutes to allow the skin to brown and crisp.

Tips:

* Use parchment paper or foil: This prevents the chicken from sticking to the baking sheet and allows for easy cleanup.

* Don't overcook: Make sure the chicken is cooked through but not dry. A good way to check is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Remember, these are general guidelines. Ultimately, the best approach for you will depend on the specific recipe, size of the chicken, and your desired outcome.