Best 4 Crunchy Fried Chicken Recipes

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**Crunchy Fried Chicken: A Culinary Delight Explored**

Crispy, succulent, and bursting with flavor, fried chicken is a beloved dish enjoyed worldwide. Its golden-brown exterior, juicy interior, and distinct crunch have made it a staple in kitchens and restaurants alike. This article presents a mouthwatering selection of fried chicken recipes that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the classic Southern-style fried chicken to healthier air fryer and oven-baked variations, each recipe offers a unique take on this culinary delight.

**1. Southern-Style Fried Chicken:**
This recipe embodies the traditional Southern-style fried chicken experience. Marinated in buttermilk and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, the chicken is coated in a crispy, seasoned breading and fried to perfection. The result is a juicy, flavorful chicken with a satisfying crunch.

**2. Air Fryer Fried Chicken:**
For those seeking a healthier alternative, this air fryer fried chicken recipe delivers a crispy exterior and tender interior without the added oil. Using an air fryer, this recipe creates a guilt-free version of this classic dish that maintains its delightful crunch and flavor.

**3. Oven-Baked Fried Chicken:**
This oven-baked fried chicken recipe is perfect for those who prefer a healthier cooking method. By utilizing the oven, this recipe creates a crispy, golden-brown crust while keeping the chicken moist and juicy. It offers a healthier alternative with a satisfying crunch.

**4. Korean Fried Chicken:**
This recipe introduces the tantalizing flavors of Korean fried chicken. Marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce, the chicken is coated in a crispy batter and fried until golden brown. The result is a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that leave taste buds craving more.

**5. Gluten-Free Fried Chicken:**
This gluten-free fried chicken recipe ensures that individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease can enjoy this classic dish. Using gluten-free flour and a carefully crafted breading mixture, this recipe delivers a crispy, flavorful fried chicken that is safe for those with gluten intolerance.

**6. Vegan Fried Chicken:**
This vegan fried chicken recipe offers a plant-based alternative to the classic dish. Using seitan or tofu as a meat substitute, this recipe creates a crispy, flavorful "chicken" that is perfect for vegans and vegetarians. It provides a satisfying crunch and taste that rivals its meat-based counterpart.

**7. Fried Chicken Nuggets:**
This recipe transforms the classic fried chicken into bite-sized nuggets, perfect for parties, snacks, or as an appetizer. Marinated in a flavorful blend of herbs and spices, the chicken nuggets are coated in a crispy breading and fried until golden brown. They offer a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor in every bite.

Explore the diverse selection of fried chicken recipes in this article and embark on a culinary journey that promises crispy, juicy, and flavorful experiences. Try new techniques, experiment with different flavors, and create memories around the dinner table with these mouthwatering fried chicken dishes.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CRUNCHY OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN



Crunchy Oven-Fried Chicken image

This recipe is yummy and healthier than average fried chicken. It goes great with french fries, mashed potatoes, or coleslaw!

Provided by cremebrulee

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 13h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds chicken cutlets
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons ground paprika
2 tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon soul food seasoning
4 eggs
4 cups salted pretzels

Steps:

  • Place chicken cutlets in a large bowl. Season with garlic, paprika, pepper, thyme, cilantro, and cloves. Mix in buttermilk. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet.
  • Mix flour, onion powder, and soul food seasoning together in a bowl. Beat eggs together in another bowl. Pulse pretzels in a food processor until finely crushed. Pour into a shallow bowl.
  • Lift chicken cutlets out of the marinade, letting excess drip back into the bowl. Dip chicken cutlets in flour, then in eggs and crushed pretzels. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Discard marinade.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 473.7 calories, Carbohydrate 64.2 g, Cholesterol 148.9 mg, Fat 7.7 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 36.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 1055.1 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

CHRIS'S CRISPY, CRUNCHY FRIED CHICKEN



Chris's Crispy, Crunchy Fried Chicken image

To keep the chicken from becoming too dry, Chris Kimball, author of "The Yellow Farmhouse Cookbook" brines the meat in heavily salted water for a few hours before cooking.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup coarse salt (or 6 tablespoons table salt)
1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons dried thyme or oregano, or a pinch of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
Peanut oil, for frying

Steps:

  • In a large bowl or pot, dissolve 1/2 cup coarse salt in 3 quarts of water. Rinse chicken pieces, and add to bowl. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove chicken pieces, and rinse under cool water. Clear space in the refrigerator to accommodate a wire cooling rack.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, and seasonings, and place in a large resealable plastic bag. Shake. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, then whisk in buttermilk. Dip half the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture, then place in the plastic bag. Shake, and lay out on a wire rack. Repeat for remaining pieces. Put the rack on a rimmed baking sheet, and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, but preferably 2 hours, to set.
  • Pour peanut oil to a depth of 3/4 inch in a large iron Dutch oven. Place over medium-high heat.
  • When oil reaches 365 degrees (if you don't have a thermometer, wait until the oil starts to smoke -- very hot oil is fine for this recipe), arrange chicken pieces in the pan, skin side down, and cover. After 5 minutes, remove the cover. Adjust heat level, if necessary, so oil bubbles at a moderate pace -- not too rapidly and not too slowly (medium to medium-high heat is best, depending on the heat conductivity of your pan). Rearrange pieces if some are browning more quickly than others. After 5 more minutes, turn the pieces over. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 more minutes or until done. Meanwhile, thoroughly wash and dry the wire rack.
  • Remove the fried chicken to cleaned wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Let drain for 5 minutes, and serve.

CRUNCHY PAN-FRIED CHICKEN



Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken image

This crispy coating is also terrific on skinned and boned chicken thighs or pork chops. From Southern Living.

Provided by LMillerRN

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup self-rising cornmeal mix
1/2 cup fine seasoned dry bread crumb
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish.
  • Dip chicken in egg, and dredge in cornmeal mixture.
  • Cook chicken in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done.

EXTRA CRUNCHY FRIED CHICKEN



EXTRA CRUNCHY FRIED CHICKEN image

Categories     Chicken     Fry

Yield 4 people

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups buttermilk plus 6 additional tablespoons
2 tablespoons table salt
1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 pieces, giblets discarded, wings and back reserved for stock (see note below for other options)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 - 5 cups vegetable shortening or peanut oil

Steps:

  • # 1. Whisk together 2 cups buttermilk and salt in large bowl until salt is dissolved. Add chicken pieces to bowl and stir to coat; cover bowl with plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. (Don't let chicken soak much longer or it will become too salty.) # 2. Whisk flour, baking powder, thyme, pepper, and garlic powder together in large bowl. Add remaining 6 tablespoons buttermilk; with your fingers rub flour and buttermilk together until buttermilk is evenly incorporated into flour and mixture resembles coarse wet sand. # 3. Working in batches of two, drop chicken pieces into flour mixture and turn to thoroughly coat, gently pressing flour mixture onto chicken. Shake excess flour from each piece of chicken and transfer to wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet. # 4. Heat oil (it should measure 3/4 inch deep) in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven with 11-inch diameter over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. Place chicken pieces, skin-side down, in oil, cover, and fry until deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove lid after 4 minutes and lift chicken pieces to check for even browning; rearrange if some pieces are browning faster than others. (At this point, oil should be about 300 degrees. Adjust burner, if necessary, to regulate temperature of oil.) Turn chicken pieces over and continue to fry, uncovered, until chicken pieces are deep golden brown on second side, 6 to 8 minutes longer. (At this point, to keep chicken from browning too quickly, adjust burner to maintain oil temperature of about 315 degrees.) Using tongs, transfer chicken to plate lined with paper towels; let stand for 5 minutes to drain. Serve

Tips:

  • Brining the chicken: Brining the chicken in a mixture of water, salt, and seasonings helps to enhance its flavor and moisture. Make sure to brine the chicken for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
  • Using buttermilk: Buttermilk helps to tenderize the chicken and gives it a slightly tangy flavor. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • Double-coating the chicken: Double-coating the chicken in flour helps to create a crispy crust. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before frying the chicken.
  • Frying the chicken: Fry the chicken in hot oil until it is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) before serving.
  • Draining the chicken: After frying the chicken, drain it on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Conclusion:

This recipe for Crunchy Fried Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe that will give you crispy, golden brown chicken that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make the best fried chicken you've ever tasted. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try!

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