It's easy to overcook chicken and make it dry, but adding one 65p item before cooking could help guarantee that the meat is always super juicy and tender14:51, 14 Jun 2026Updated 14:59, 14 Jun 2026There is one simple ingredient you can add before cooking to guarantee your chicken dishes are always succulent and full of flavour. Chicken is a notoriously tricky meat to get just right. Undercook it, and you risk serious food poisoning, yet the fear of this often leads people to overcook it - leaving it dry, tough and thoroughly unappetising.‌Nailing that perfect balance of fully cooked yet juicy and tender chicken is no mean feat, and social media is awash with countless tips and tricks aimed at helping home cooks master the art of preparing poultry properly. One such cooking hack on TikTok has gone viral of late, promising to deliver "the juiciest chicken breast you've ever had" - and it only requires a single 65p ingredient that's likely already sitting in your kitchen cupboard.‌The technique was shared by Arash Hashemi, a self-taught cook who regularly posts keto-friendly recipes that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Following a protein-rich diet means Arash needs his meals to be genuinely tasty, and his chicken method ensures it turns out perfectly juicy every single time.‌He said: "This is the secret to the juiciest chicken breast you've ever had. These are practically dripping with juice."Arash started by seasoning his chicken, opting for herbs and spices such as paprika and oregano, along with yoghurt and lemon juice, though you can adapt this to your preference.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌But in his marinade, he included one particular ingredient that helped to guarantee his chicken would remain juicy - bicarbonate of soda.Bicarbonate of soda is an effective tenderiser for chicken that functions by increasing the surface pH level of the meat. This stops the proteins from contracting and forcing out moisture during cooking, meaning your chicken remains juicy and tender.Commenters on the post were amazed by the straightforward trick, with many revealing they had no clue that achieving juicy chicken was as simple as adding one ingredient to their marinade.‌One person said: "Baking soda on every chicken from now on. What?!"Another added: "I wanna say thank you so much for posting this video. I have this for dinner, and my chicken came out sooooo tender and juicy. I've been cooking chicken wrong the whole time."How to prepare a chicken breastArash also went on to detail precisely how he cooks his chicken breast to ensure it turns out juicy. First, he makes certain his chicken is at room temperature before he cooks it, which means leaving it out of the fridge for a few minutes.Article continues belowDo not leave chicken out for an extended period, as this can allow bacteria to multiply and heighten your risk of food poisoning. But allowing it to sit while you prepare the rest of your meal is acceptable.He then placed the chicken in a frying pan with some oil, cooking it on a medium heat with a lid on for three minutes. After the time had elapsed, he turned it over, replaced the lid, and cooked for a further seven minutes.He then removed the chicken from the pan and allowed it to rest for five minutes before serving. Bon appetit!