While it’s not the norm, some recipes and dishes call for a combination of beef and chicken. You may be wondering if it is possible to cook the two forms of meat together and if so, what flavors complement them both.
Read on because we have all the details for you here.
Can You Cook Chicken and Beef Together?
When thinking about cooking chicken and beef together, we need to consider a few things.
1. Cooking Method
Let’s look at the cooking method first. It is not usually a good idea to cook beef and chicken together in the same pan or pot for reasons we’ll look at just now.
However, if you are going to grill or barbeque them, you can happily cook them side by side over the coals.
This will allow you to baste each type of meat with a suitable marinade and you will be able to remove whichever one is cooked first (usually the chicken).
2. Cooking Times
Secondly, let’s consider the cooking times. Different cuts of chicken have different cooking times, as do different cuts of beef. For example, boneless chicken breast needs a very short time over high heat – a few minutes at most.
It is the same for tender beef fillet or rump. However, chicken cuts on the bone such as the thigh or drumstick require longer, slower cooking times either with a little oil or in a casserole liquid.
Cheaper cuts of beef normally reserved for stewing need extremely long, slow cooking in broth or other liquid to tenderize them so would definitely not be suitable for preparing with any chicken cut.
You could theoretically prepare strips of beef fillet and chicken breast in the same pan such as for a chicken and beef Asian stir-fry, but in terms of the flavor factors, you would get a better result from cooking them separately.
For those of you who want to break the rules, we have provided a recipe at the end.
3. Flavors
Beef and chicken have totally different flavor profiles as well as different textures. While most herbs and spices work with both types of meat, chicken has a more delicate flavor which needs to be seasoned carefully so as not to overpower it.
Most beef cuts have a robust, umami taste that can stand up under stronger seasonings like rosemary and chili.
4. Temperature
The USDA has said that the beef and chicken can be put on the same grill for cooking, but you have to select a higher temperature for cooking chicken – the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure it’s safe for consumption.
On the other hand, the finished internal temperature of beef can be lower – 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Happens if You Cook Chicken and Beef Together?
Be it chicken or beef, both of them are amazing sources of protein, but their texture, flavor, and cooking requirements are different. Cooking them together is not a practical idea because it might lead to weird flavor development.
For the most part, putting chicken and beef together for cooking will result in nothing but a culinary disaster.
What to Do if You Want to Cook Both Beef and Chicken
You may be having a dinner party and want to serve both meat. Alternatively, perhaps you have some family members who prefer chicken while others prefer beef.
Instead of trying to mix the two, rather create two separate dishes and serve them side by side. For instance, make roast chicken and beef stew.
Alternatively, for an Asian meal, make chicken chow mein and beef chop suey in two separate woks. This way, the dishes will complement each other on the plate but the flavors will not mix.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, for various reasons, we do not recommend cooking beef and chicken together. However, if you still want to experiment with the idea, here is a recipe that you might enjoy.
It uses both types of meat and provides an interesting taste experience. Good luck!
Beef and Chicken Asian-Style
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 beef steak such as rump or fillet, sliced into thin strips
- 1 boneless chicken breast fillet, sliced into thin strips
- 1 large carrot, peeled and julienne
- 1 baby cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 white onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 can pineapple pieces, drained½-1 cup
- bottled sweet and sour sauce, depending on your taste
- Spring onion slices and sesame seeds to garnish
- Cooked noodles or rice to serve
Instructions:
- Slice the meats separately and set aside in two bowls.
- Prepare the vegetables and cook the rice or noodles.
- Using a big wok, heat it over a high flame. Add half of the oil.
- Put in the beef strips along with half of the garlic and ginger and stir fry until done.
- Remove from the wok with a slotted spoon.
- Add a little more oil and stir-fry the chicken in the same way with the remaining garlic and ginger. It will be done quicker than the beef was.
- Remove from the wok with a slotted spoon and put it with the cooked beef.
- Add a little more oil to the pan and stir-fry all the vegetables until crisply tender.
- Return the meat to the pan.
- Stir in the pineapple and enough sauce to coat everything well.
- Garnish with the spring onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately on rice or noodles.