Ninja's latest kitchen appliance answers a question few home cooks asked. The brand has released a $450 microwave that can roast a whole chicken to golden-brown doneness, challenging decades of conventional wisdom about microwave cooking.
The machine works through a hybrid heating system that combines traditional microwave radiation with convection heat. This dual approach allows the appliance to cook chicken evenly while developing the crispy, browned exterior typically associated with oven roasting. The convection element circulates hot air around the bird, mimicking the results of a conventional oven without the extended cooking time.
Ninja positions this as a solution for time-pressed home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results at home. The price point places it squarely in the premium countertop appliance category, competing with high-end toaster ovens and compact ovens rather than standard microwaves. For the price, consumers gain versatility: the appliance can roast, bake, reheat, and handle traditional microwave tasks.
The concept reflects a broader industry trend toward multi-function kitchen appliances. Brands increasingly stack cooking methods into single machines, appealing to consumers with limited counter space and kitchen budgets stretched across multiple gadgets. Air fryers, for instance, captured significant market share by offering faster, crisper results than traditional deep fryers.
Whether microwaved chicken actually tastes good remains the practical question. Home testing reveals the chicken emerges moist inside with decent browning on skin. Results don't quite match a conventional oven's output, but the time savings are substantial. A whole chicken cooks in roughly 30 to 40 minutes rather than the hour-plus required by traditional roasting.
The appliance targets specific consumer segments: apartment dwellers without full-sized ovens, busy professionals, and kitchen gadget enthusiasts willing to experiment. It won't replace traditional