--- title: Troubleshooting fresh chicken description: When your chicken isn't cooking up consistent, reference this quick guide to producing top quality chicken. --- [Skip to content](https://help.broaster.com/troubleshoot-fresh-chicken#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Broaster\_Equipment\_Logo\_Color-2.png\]](https://help.broaster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Broaster_Equipment_Logo_Color-2.png?height=40&name=Broaster_Equipment_Logo_Color-2.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Visit broaster.com Visit broaster.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Support Center](https://help.broaster.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Troubleshooting Fresh Chicken](https://help.broaster.com/troubleshooting-fresh-chicken?hsLang=en) # Troubleshooting fresh chicken ## When your chicken isn't cooking up consistent, reference this quick guide to producing top quality chicken. Chicken not cooking up quite right? Check out this Quick Guide to Producing Top Quality chicken.  View this in PDF form with pictures: [Quick Guide to Producing Top Quality Chicken](https://broaster.com/wp-content/uploads/92075_Product_Prep_Tips_Prob_Solution.pdf) Also available in Spanish: [Spanish - Quick Guide to Producing Top Quality Chicken](https://broaster.com/wp-content/uploads/92075-SP_Product_Prep_Tips_Prob_Solution.pdf)   | **Problem:**  Cooked Product is too light. | **Cause:** Heavy drop-off of coating will increase filtering and shorten oil life. | **Solution:** Before cooking, refrigerate coated chicken for a minimum 45 minutes (until coating becomes tacky) | | --- | --- | --- | | **Problem:** Thighs not cooked thoroughly, poor appearance. | **Cause:** Thigh joints not snapped so that the bone is exposed in order to allow even cooking. | **Solution:** Before marinating, snap thigh joints when trimming chicken. | | **Problem:** Product dark and greasy. | **Cause:** Chicken not drained thoroughly before coating. Wet product will produce a heavier coating during coating process increasing oil absorption and producing a higher calorie product - will also increase oil and coating usage. | **Solution:** After marinating, drain chicken for a minimum of 45 minutes under refrigeration, then lightly dust chicken and tap off excess coating. Allow to set up under refrigeration for 45 minutes. | | **Problem:** Product too dark. | **Cause:** Coated, uncooked chicken held longer than recommended maximum 12-hour hold time. | **Solution:** Discard coated, uncooked chicken when 12-hour hold time has been exceeded. | | **Problem:** Product too dark. | **Cause:** Improperly filtered or overused oil. | **Solution:** Filter oil and replace if needed | | **Problem:** Inconsistent product. | **Cause:** Broaster Foods® coatings and marinades were not used, resulting in inconsistent color, oil absorption, or moisture retention. | **Solution:** Follow procedures by Broaster® Company. | | **Problem:** Product has dark spots. | **Cause:** Unauthorized addition of other spices added to product - in addition to producing a darker coating, also shortens oil life as spices break down in oil more quickly. | **Solution:** Follow procedures by Broaster® Company. | | **Problem:** Product has dark spots. | **Cause:** Improperly filtered oil. | **Solution:** Filter oil. | | **Problem:** Chicken has dried out appearance and/or flavor. | **Cause:** Recommended holding time of finished product exceeded. | **Solution:** For optimal quality, serve chicken within first hour after cooking. | | **Problem:** Product has off flavor, rancid smell, poor appearance, and/or poor quality. | **Cause:** Oil is past useful life and has broken down. | **Solution:** Replace oil. |   - [General Questions](https://help.broaster.com/general-questions?hsLang=en) - [Broaster Pressure Fryers](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Training](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#training) - [Operator's Manual](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#operators-manual) - [Cleaning](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#cleaning) - [Specifications](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#specifications) - [Troubleshooting](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Parts](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#parts) - [Decode Serial Number](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-pressure-fryers?hsLang=en#decode-serial-number) - [Broaster Ventless Fryers](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-ventless-fryers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Manuals](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-ventless-fryers?hsLang=en#manuals) - [Parts](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-ventless-fryers?hsLang=en#parts) - [Cleaning](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-ventless-fryers?hsLang=en#cleaning) - [Troubleshooting](https://help.broaster.com/broaster-ventless-fryers?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Advertising & Marketing](https://help.broaster.com/advertising-marketing?hsLang=en) - [Operating Instructions](https://help.broaster.com/operating-instructions?hsLang=en) - [Troubleshooting Fresh Chicken](https://help.broaster.com/troubleshooting-fresh-chicken?hsLang=en) - [Accessory Equipment](https://help.broaster.com/accessory-equipment?hsLang=en) - [Smokaroma Pressure Smoker](https://help.broaster.com/smokaroma-pressure-smoker?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Recipes](https://help.broaster.com/smokaroma-pressure-smoker?hsLang=en#recipes) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.broaster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Broaster_Company_Logo_NoTagline_Color-2.png?width=117&height=24&name=Broaster_Company_Logo_NoTagline_Color-2.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://www.broaster.com) Broaster Equipment Help Center Copyright © 2026, Broaster Company