Some foods make us feel good whenever we eat them. For example, take fried chicken. This comfort food classic is hard not to love – who doesn’t like a breaded, fried piece of meat? But many people think that making fried chicken is too difficult to pull off correctly. For some reason, it seems like an impenetrable recipe for some. But no fear: Making fried chicken doesn’t have to be hard if you know what you’re doing! If you’re ready to make your own batch at home, follow these easy steps. You’ll have a juicy plate of chicken in no time at all.
Buy the Chicken
While you can always buy a whole chicken and break it down yourself, it’s a lot easier if you just buy the pieces you want separately. More of a white meat person? You may want to stick to the breasts. More of a dark meat eater? In that case, opt for wings and drumsticks. Now isn’t that easy?
Salt Your Chicken
If you want your chicken to taste as flavorful as possible, you should do a dry brine before cooking it. Basically, this means you should salt your chicken. Technically, you only have to salt it about 30 minutes before you cook it. But you can leave the salt on overnight if you want a little extra flavor.
Make a Spice Blend
A big part of the flavor in fried chicken comes from all the delicious spices you’re going to use, so don’t be afraid to go crazy here. Paprika, poultry seasoning, pepper, cayenne, and sage are all good options. But really, it’s important to make your chicken however you like it best. Choose your favorite spices, and go for it.
Use Ingredients to Make Crispy Breading
If you want a crispy breading on your chicken, remember to use a few ingredients: alcohol, egg whites, and cornstarch. Yes, it sounds like a strange combination, but it is going to make your chicken delicious.
Fry Your Chicken in a Dutch Oven
Once you’re ready to fry, it’ll probably be easiest to do in a Dutch oven. Just make sure you get it really hot before adding the chicken and then watch out for splatters.
You might also like: Historic Hikes Around Knoxville
Use Two Different Thermometers
Use one thermometer to make sure your oil is hot enough and another thermometer to determine if your chicken is cooked all the way through. Food safety is important.
Try this amazing chicken recipe for yourself!
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.