Crusty Fried Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

Steps:

• Pour the buttermilk into a wide shallow dish and stir in the garlic. Slice the chicken into chunky slices, about 9.5cm long x 3-4cm wide. Lay the chicken in the dish and turn it over in the buttermilk so it is well coated. Leave in the fridge for 1-2 hrs, or preferably overnight.
• Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan and tip in the panko crumbs and flour. Toast them in the pan for 2-3 mins, stirring regularly so they brown evenly and don't burn. Tip the crumb mix into a bowl and stir in the paprika, mustard, thyme, chilli powder, pepper and a pinch of fine sea salt. Set aside.
• When ready to cook, heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Line a baking tin with foil and sit a wire rack (preferably non-stick) on top. Transfer half the crumb mix to a medium-large plastic bag. Lift half the chicken from the buttermilk, leaving the marinade clinging to it. Transfer it to the bag of seasoned crumbs. Seal the end of the bag and give it a good shake so the chicken gets well covered (you could do all the crumbs and chicken together if you prefer, but it's easier to coat evenly in 2 batches).
• Remove the chicken from the bag. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan, then add the chicken pieces and fry for 1½ mins without moving them. Turn the chicken over, pour in another ½ tbsp of the oil to cover the base of the pan and fry for 1 min more, so both sides are becoming golden. Using tongs, transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining seasoned crumbs, oil and chicken.
• Bake all the chicken on the rack for 15 mins until cooked and crisp, then serve with the Crunchy coleslaw (see 'Goes well with', below right).

Steps:

• Season the chicken pieces with Essence. Pour 2 cups of the buttermilk over the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Place the chicken in the refrigerator and marinate for 1 hour.
• Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and drain. Season the flour with Essence. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining buttermilk. Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Dredge the chicken pieces back in the seasoned flour, coating each piece of the chicken completely. Carefully lay the chicken in the hot oil. Fry the chicken for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the juices run clear. Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a paper-lined plate. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Steps:

• Combine flour, garlic salt, salt, celery saltpepper and paprika in paper or plastic bag.
• Add a few pieces of chicken at a time.
• Shake to coat.
• Heat oil to 365°F in electric skillet or on medium-high heat in large heavy skillet Fry chicken 30 to 40 minutes without lowering heat Turn once for even browning.
• Drain on paper towels.

Steps:

• Combine the dried mushrooms and 2 cups cool water in a medium bowl. Cover and let soak at room temperature for 4 hours.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a 14-inch wok over high heat. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until tender all the way through, about 3 minutes. Strain the noodles and divide them between two plates. Lift small amounts of noodles up and down with chopsticks to cool the noodles and form each plate of noodles into an 8-inch "bird's nest" shape. Let them cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, lightly cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cut the chicken thighs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Mix the chicken and 3/4 teaspoon each salt, sugar, cornstarch, light soy sauce and Shaoxing wine together in a medium bowl and toss to coat. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon neutral oil until combined. Cover and refrigerate.
• Once the mushrooms are nearly rehydrated, bring 6 cups of water in the same wok to a boil. Blanch the carrots until slightly tender, about 1 minute. Strain the carrot out of the water with a spider or slotted spoon and place on a plate to cool slightly. Bring the water back to a boil, add the bok choy and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Strain the bok choy and place with the carrot. Set aside.
• Prepare the scallions by cutting them into 2-inch pieces, then thinly slicing them lengthwise. Chop the garlic so everything is ready for stir-frying.
• Meanwhile, mix the oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, and the dark soy sauce together in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
• Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 5 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
• Remove the mushrooms from the water with a slotted spoon (reserve the soaking water). Squeeze the water from the mushrooms, cut off and discard the stems and thinly slice the caps. Mix the sliced mushrooms with 1/2 teaspoon each salt, sugar, cornstarch, light soy sauce and Shaoxing wine in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon neutral oil and mix until combined. Mix the mushroom soaking liquid with the oyster sauce mixture until combined.
• Pour enough neutral oil into a wok (about 5 cups for a 14-inch wok) so it comes 2 inches up the sides but not above halfway up the wok. (See Cook's Note.) Heat over high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• As the oil is heating up, loosen the noodles again just before frying by using chop sticks to separate and fluff them. Transfer one cooled noodle nest into a large spider, slowly and carefully lower it into the hot oil (step away from the wok as the oil may splatter for the first few seconds). Fry for 5 minutes. Flip the noodles using the spider and chopsticks, push any noodles back that are sticking out to keep the shape, and fry until the edges of the nest are crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the crispy noodles to a paper towel-lined plate. Wipe off as much oil as possible; the nest will crisp more as it sits.
• Repeat with the remaining nest of noodles, adding more oil to the wok if necessary to make sure the noodles are completely submerged. Drain on another paper towel-lined plate. Carefully discard the oil.
• Heat the wok over high heat until smoking. Pour in 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl it around the wok to coat the surface. Spread the chicken in an even layer and fry undisturbed until it starts to brown, about 2 minutes. Toss and stir-fry until the chicken is opaque, about 1 minute. Add the shiitake mushrooms and chopped garlic; stir fry for 1 minute. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine around the sides of the wok and stir fry until the wok is dry again, about 30 seconds.
• Add the oyster sauce mixture, carrots, bok choy and scallions. Bring to boil, slowly drizzle in half the cornstarch slurry and mix until thickened, about 30 seconds. Add more if needed.
• Transfer the noodle nests to plates or platters and pour the sauce into the middle of the crispy noodles. Serve hot.

Steps:

• For the buttermilk marinade: Stir together the buttermilk, soy sauce, ginger and garlic powder in a bowl. Pound the chicken to an equal thickness (no thicker than 1 inch; this helps it cook evenly.) Place the chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, and turn to coat. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• Make the pickled carrot-cucumber salad: Stir together the sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the carrots, cucumbers, radishes and green onions, and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (The flavors will improve with standing time.)
• For the peanut-crusted chicken: Pour enough oil into a Dutch oven to reach 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to 325 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Stir together the flour, garlic powder and ginger in a shallow dish. Lightly beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish. Combine the panko and peanuts in a third shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Dip the chicken in the egg, then in the panko mixture, pressing to adhere.
• Fry the chicken in 2 batches, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to drain. Drizzle with the pepper jelly.
• To serve, spread the peanut sauce on the buns. Place a piece of chicken on each bun bottom. Top with the pickled carrot-cucumber salad, cilantro and bun tops. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Pour the oil halfway up the sides of a very large cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Line a second rimmed baking sheet with a cooling rack. While the oil heats, combine the flour and House Seasoning in a shallow dish. Whisk together the milk and eggs in a separate shallow dish. Place the crushed cereal in a third shallow dish. Season the cereal with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the drumsticks with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken in the seasoned flour and coat completely. Dip in the egg mixture, then dredge in the rice cereal, pressing to coat evenly. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Fry the chicken, in batches, in the hot oil until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees F, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove to the wire rack to drain.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the chicken parts with paper towels.
• Sprinkle the chicken parts generously with salt and pepper.
• Whisk thoroughly in a medium bowl the 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk and the 1 t. salt.
• Mix together on a plate: flour, 2 t. salt and 2 t. black pepper.
• Heat the shortening in a deep, heavy pot or deep-fat fryer to 350 degrees.
• Toss the breast meat pieces in the flour mixture and then moisten thoroughly in the egg mixture. Lift each piece out of the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
• Roll in the flour mixture again until completely coated. Sprinkle each piece with paprika.
• Then immerse into the hot oil. Fry for about 15 minutes or until cooked "through," turning the pieces several times.
• Remove the pieces to a baking sheet lined with brown paper bag or paper towels. Hold in a warm oven.
• Repeat the process with the thighs and drumsticks, frying those pieces for about 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of waxed paper. Pound to 1/2" thickness using a meat mallet. Set aside.
• Place egg whites and tarragon in a shallow bowl. Beat with a fork until frothy. Combine flour, garlic powder, cornstarch and baking soda in another shallow bowl and mix well. Dip the chicken in flour then egg white mixture and turn to coat. Dip in flour again and coat completely.
• Heat the oil to 350 F in a deep medium skillet. Add 2 chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Steps:

• Fill a 6 quart stock pot with cold water add in the whole chicken bring to a rolling boil about 5 minutes and place a cover onto the stockpot and turn off the heat and don't open!
• Remove the chicken after a hour and place into a large container add ice cube and cold water and let set in the container for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the cold chicken and pat dry with paper towel. The whole chicken needs to be very dry inside and outside. Lightly season chicken with salt. Let stand at room temperature for an hour.
• In a large pot with oil and place over a high heat until the oil is at 360°. This next step you need to care in low the whole into the hot oil and deep fry until golden brown. Turn off the fire! Remove the fried chicken onto a platter and set aside to cool.
• In a saucepan add in the chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, white pepper and a little dash of five spice powders and bring to a simmer.
• Place the whole chicken and cut into bite size pieces and plate onto a serving platter and top with green onion strips. Pour the sauce in from the side of the platter and serve.

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine 2-2/3 cups flour, garlic salt, paprika, 2-1/2 teaspoons pepper and teaspoons poultry seasoning. In another shallow dish, beat eggs and 1-1/2 cups water; add 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1-1/3 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in flour mixture, a few pieces at a time. Turn to coat., In a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Working in batches, fry chicken, several pieces at a time, until skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165°, about 7-8 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with thyme and marjoram. let stand for 30 minute to 1 hour.
• Roll in flour and fry in hot fat or salad oil just long enough to brown on both sides.
• Remove and place in baking pan.
• Sprinkle with rosemary, parsley, salt and pepper.
• Pour water into frying pan and stir thoroughly scraping bits from bottom of pan.
• Pour liquid over chicken.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.
• Prep time includes stand time.