Hey there, fellow foodies! Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite recipes: crispy fried chicken. There’s just something magical about that crunchy, golden-brown coating paired with juicy, flavorful chicken inside. Plus, I’ve got a special dipping sauce that makes this dish truly irresistible. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Method

Setting Up Your Workstation

To begin, gather your ingredients and set up your workstation with three bowls. One bowl will hold the prepared chicken, the second bowl will contain the flour mixture, and the third bowl will have the batter. This setup makes the coating process smooth and efficient. Season the chicken with a generous pinch of salt to enhance its flavor.

Preparing the Chicken

Take a piece of chicken and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure it is evenly coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour before dipping the chicken into the batter. Let any extra batter drip off before coating the chicken once again in the flour mixture. This double coating technique is essential for achieving a thick, crispy crust. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken pieces, ensuring they are all evenly coated.

Frying the Chicken

Heat the oil in a deep frying pot to 350°F. To test if the oil is ready, you can drop a small piece of batter into the pot. If it sizzles and rises to the top, you are good to go. Carefully add the chicken pieces one by one, but do not overcrowd the pot. As you add each piece, gently sway it back and forth in the oil to prevent sticking to the bottom. Fry the chicken in batches to maintain the correct oil temperature. Cook each piece until it turns a beautiful golden brown and crispy, which usually takes about 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.

Draining and Serving

Once cooked, use tongs to remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels. This helps maintain the crispiness by allowing excess oil to drain away. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.

Preparing the Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and honey. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well blended. Serve this delicious sauce alongside your crispy fried chicken for a perfect combination of flavors.

Necessary Tools

Mixing bowls (3)
Whisk
Deep frying pot
Meat thermometer
Wire rack
Tongs
Paper towels

Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Henry AveryCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Flour Mixture
2 cups flour
½ cup corn starch
2 tbsp Montreal chicken spice
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
For the Batter
1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
For the Chicken
5 chicken breasts (sliced into 1” strips or chunks)
OR 10-12 drumsticks
Oil for frying
Salt (for seasoning)
Dipping Sauce
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tsp mustard
1 tbsp honey

Directions

Set up your workstation with three bowls: one with the chicken, another with the flour mixture, and the third with the batter.
Season the chicken with salt.
Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then the batter, and finally back into the flour mixture. Repeat for all pieces
Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F.
Gently add chicken pieces to the hot oil. To prevent sticking, sway each piece back and forth before fully submerging.
Fry until golden brown and crispy, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Drain the chicken on a wire rack to keep it crispy

Notes

Be cautious with oil temperature; too hot will burn the coating, and too low will make it greasy.
Do not overcrowd the pot as it will lower the oil temperature and cause soggy chicken.
Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the crispy fried chicken hot with the dipping sauce.
Perfect with coleslaw, French fries, or even stuffed in a sandwich!
Great for game nights, family dinners, or picnics.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the key to super crispy chicken is using cornstarch in the flour mixture? It helps create that iconic crunchy texture!

Conclusion

There you have crispy fried chicken that’s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. The simple yet flavorful flour mixture and the quick dipping sauce make this dish a must try. Enjoy this crowd-pleaser, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!