Who doesn’t love some good ol’ fried chicken? It’s so popular that the average American eats over 90 pounds of it a year—that’s a lot of chicken! But how do you get that perfect golden, mouthwatering crust like your favorite chicken joint? Let’s break it down.
How to Make Fried Chicken
It’s crispy, spicy, and oh-so-flavourful. Here’s an easy fried chicken recipe. All you need is just a few ingredients:
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 lbs of chicken (thighs, wings, or drumsticks)
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of cornstarch
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1 tsp of black pepper
- 1 tsp of paprika or cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp of onion powder
- 1/2 tsp of baking powder
- 1 cup of cold water or buttermilk
- Vegetable, avocado, canola or peanut oil
Instructions:
- Trim any excess fat or skin from the chicken. Cut it into your desired sizes. If you are using chicken breasts, you can slice them into strips for tenders.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder.
- Slowly add cold water (or buttermilk if you want a thicker coating) to the dry mixture, stirring as you go. You want the batter to be thick but still runny enough to coat the chicken evenly. If it’s too thick, add a little more water; if it’s too thin, sprinkle in some more flour.
- Take each piece of chicken and dip it into the Southern fried chicken batter. Make sure it’s fully coated. Let any excess batter drip off. You want a nice even coating.
- Heat oil (2-3 inches) in a large frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oil is hot enough before deep frying the chicken. If it’s too cool, the chicken will soak up oil instead of frying.
- Place the battered chicken pieces into the hot oil. Fry chicken in batches on medium-high heat. Each piece will take about 12-15 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oil and place it on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.
- Your crispy batter fried chicken is ready to serve. Pair it with your favorite dipping sauce or sides, and dig in!
Can You Bake the Chicken?
Absolutely, you can bake battered chicken! Here’s how to do it:
- Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). You want it hot enough to crisp up the batter.
- Just like with frying, dip your chicken pieces in the batter. Make sure they’re fully coated.
- Set the battered chicken on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Fit it halfway through at the 15-minute mark. You’ll know it’s done when the coating is golden and the cooked chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Tips to Achieve a Crispy Texture
Here are a few simple tips to help you get an extra crispy coating on your chicken:
- If you want a thicker, crunchier coating, try double dipping. After your first batter dip, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then dip it in the batter again before frying or baking.
- Add a pinch of baking powder to your crispy fried chicken batter to help the coating rise and puff up.
- For an even crunchier bite, try adding some panko breadcrumbs to your remaining chicken batter mixture.
What Should You Serve with Fried Chicken?
Here are some classic sides that pair perfectly with fried chicken:
- Creamy mashed potatoes and gravy
- Coleslaw
- Biscuits
- Mac and cheese
- Cornbread
- Green beans or collard greens
Summary
Battering chicken is a simple process that results in a delicious, crispy meal. By following these steps, you can make the best fried chicken with a crispy exterior.
Do you love fried chicken? If you want to make the process even easier, check out the MisterChef Batter Dispenser. It’s perfect for getting an even, mess-free coating on every piece of chicken. Shop with us today.