Best 4 Picnic Fried Chicken Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful picnic feast with our crispy and succulent Picnic Fried Chicken. This classic dish, elevated with a secret blend of herbs and spices, promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Our meticulously curated recipes cater to various dietary preferences, offering both traditional and innovative variations. Dive into the Southern-style Buttermilk Fried Chicken, where buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, resulting in a juicy, flavorful experience. For a healthier alternative, try our Air Fryer Chicken Breast, which delivers a crispy coating without compromising on taste. Vegetarians and vegans can delight in our flavorful Vegan Fried "Chicken," made with plant-based ingredients that mimic the texture and taste of chicken. Accompany your picnic spread with our selection of delectable sides, including a refreshing Coleslaw, tangy Potato Salad, and creamy Mac and Cheese. Enhance your meal with our homemade BBQ Sauce, adding a smoky and sweet dimension to every bite. Whether you're planning an outdoor gathering or a cozy indoor picnic, our Picnic Fried Chicken and accompanying recipes will make your culinary adventure a memorable and delicious one.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

OVEN-FRIED PICNIC CHICKEN



Oven-Fried Picnic Chicken image

Provided by Tracey Seaman

Categories     Chicken     Dairy     Poultry     Bake     Marinate     Picnic     Kid-Friendly     Summer     Small Plates

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
4 large garlic cloves, lightly crushed with the side of a chef's knife, then peeled
8 chicken thighs and 8 chicken drumsticks (5 pounds total), skin on
Cooking oil spray
1 1/2 cups plain dried bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • In large bowl, combine buttermilk and garlic. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
  • Arrange rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Line large shallow baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking oil. In large bowl, combine bread crumbs, oregano, basil, marjoram, salt, and pepper; toss well to blend.
  • Drain chicken and discard buttermilk. Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge chicken in bread crumbs until well coated, then place, skin side up, on baking sheet. Spray pieces lightly with cooking oil.
  • Bake chicken until golden and cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
  • Transportation tips:
  • If you cook the chicken just before leaving, you can transport it warm, uncovered, in a basket lined with foil and paper towels. If you make it a day ahead, let it cool, then refrigerate it overnight. Pack the cold chicken in a covered plastic container lined with parchment paper.

PICNIC FRIED CHICKEN



Picnic Fried Chicken image

For our family, it's not a picnic unless there's fried chicken! Chicken, deviled eggs and potato salad are all musts for a picnic as far as my husband is concerned. This is a "Golden Oldie" recipe for me-I've used it any number of times. -Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 pounds), cut up
3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk
COATING:
1-1/2 to 2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Oil for frying

Steps:

  • Pat chicken pieces with paper towels; place in large flat dish. Pour buttermilk over chicken; cover, and allow to soak at least 1 hour or overnight in refrigerator. , Combine coating ingredients in large shallow dish. Add chicken pieces, one at a time, and turn to coat well. Lay coated pieces on waxed paper for 15 minutes to allow coating to dry (will cling better in frying)., In a Dutch oven or other deep skillet, heat 1/2 in. oil over medium heat to 350°. Fry chicken, uncovered, until coating is dark golden brown and meat is no longer pink, turning occasionally, 7-8 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 623 calories, Fat 40g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 748mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 38g protein.

OVEN-FRIED PICNIC CHICKEN



Oven-Fried Picnic Chicken image

My great-grandson Austin eats only chicken, so it appears on the menu at every family gathering. This version, which marinates chicken in lemonade, is among his favorites.-Anneliese Deising, Plymouth, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • Refrigerate 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate for basting. Pour remaining concentrate into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally., Drain and discard marinade from chicken. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. , In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown., Place chicken on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Brush with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until juices run clear, basting with reserved lemonade concentrate every 15 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition Facts :

FOURTH OF JULY FRIED PICNIC CHICKEN



Fourth of July Fried Picnic Chicken image

This recipe hails from my great-grandmother, Clara. In all the years I've been cooking and trading recipes, I've never seen [or tasted] fried chicken like this! It's simply the best I've ever had, hot or cold!

Provided by TROY RAY

Categories     Chicken

Time 12h50m

Number Of Ingredients 1

see below:

Steps:

  • 1. MARINADE: • 1 Fryer Chicken cut into 8 pieces, skin on, trimmed of excess fat [if you have additional drumsticks or breasts, use them--- it's the best out of the bunch!] • Buttermilk [enough to cover & marinate the chicken in a glass baking dish or bowl] • Apple Cider Vinegar [1 tablespoon per piece of chicken used in the marinating process] • Louisiana Hot Sauce [1 dash per piece of chicken during marinating--- personally, I prefer Crystal® Brand] • 3 tablespoons Kosher Salt • Peanut Oil [approximately ¾ gallon] • 8 to 10 slices toasted Wonder® White Bread
  • 2. SEASONED FLOUR: • 1 cup Bisquick® Baking Mix • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal® Salt [fine] • 1 teaspoon Ground White Pepper • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 3. BATTER: • 1 cup Bisquick® Baking Mix • ½ cup Self Rising Flour • 1¼ cup Whole Milk • 3 tablespoons Accent® Seasoning • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt • 1 tablespoon Cracked Black Pepper • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder • 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt • 1 teaspoon Dried Marjoram • ½ teaspoon Dried, Ground Sage • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper • ½ teaspoon Turmeric
  • 4. FINAL COAT: • 1 cup Medium Grind Bulgur Wheat • 1 ½ cups Campbell's® Condensed Chicken Broth, do not add 1 can water, use condensed • 15 Nabisco® Premium Saltine Crackers [Salted Tops] • 1 tablespoon Finely Ground Cornmeal • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 5. STEP 1: • Place chicken pieces into glass baking dish [or bowl]. Spoon 1 tablespoon vinegar over each piece and then one dash Louisiana hot sauce. Cover entire chicken with buttermilk followed by a generous sprinkling of kosher salt over each individual part. Refrigerate/marinate for at least 10 hours; overnight is best.
  • 6. STEP 2: • Create the "Final Coat" by bringing chicken broth to a boil. Add bulgur and cayenne, cover and set aside [off heat]. • When bulgur has absorbed all the broth [about 20 minutes]; if the bulgur is fluffy, but there is residual liquid, simply discard, and cover for a few more minutes. Remove lid and "fluff" with a fork, then folding in the cornmeal and the saltines [which have been crushed into fine crumbs], delicately combining the ingredients until it looks like wet sand. • Immediately proceed to "Step 3".
  • 7. STEP 3: • Make the "Batter" by combining the Bisquick®, flour, milk, Accent®, salt, pepper and spices; mix until smooth. If the batter is not the consistency of pancake batter, either add more flour or milk. Set aside and proceed to "Step 4".
  • 8. STEP 4: • Preheat peanut oil in large cast iron skillet to 280 to 300 degrees. • Remove chicken pieces from marinade and pat completely dry with paper towels. Discard used marinade. • Combine "Seasoned Flour" ingredients [Bisquick®, cornstarch, salt, white pepper and onion powder]. Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly and then dip each piece, completely covering with the batter. • After the first piece is battered, roll in the "Final Coat" and set aside. • Repeat until all the chicken is floured, battered and coated. Don't let chicken stand too long before proceeding to "Step 5".
  • 9. STEP 5: • Using tongs, place chicken pieces in skillet; do not crowd, leaving at least 1" on all sides of the chicken. Because time is of the essence, my great-grandmother used two skillets frying simultaneously. I like to fry drumsticks and thighs together, and breasts and wings at the same time, the latter two parts frying the quickest. • Do not stir or move chicken around during this process; if the temperature is maintained, the oil will do all the work for you. • Fry for about 8 minutes and then turn each piece and continue to fry for another 5 to 9 minutes; you'll know when it's done . . . it's the color of heaven! Golden and glorious!
  • 10. STEP 6: • Drain each piece of hot, fried chicken on a piece of toast [you'll thank me later!] and let stand for at least 5 minutes before service. I, however, love eating this delicacy straight from the icebox the next day. It's great for hangovers, too!

Tips:

  • Brine the chicken: Brining the chicken in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar helps to keep it moist and flavorful. You can brine the chicken for as little as 30 minutes or up to overnight.
  • Use a good quality oil for frying: The type of oil you use for frying will affect the flavor of the chicken. Choose a high-heat oil, such as peanut oil or vegetable oil.
  • Fry the chicken in batches: Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. This will cause the oil temperature to drop and the chicken will not cook evenly.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken: The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the chicken rest before serving: Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.

Conclusion:

Picnic Fried Chicken is a classic summer dish that is perfect for any outdoor gathering. With its crispy, golden-brown crust and juicy, flavorful meat, this chicken is sure to be a hit with everyone. Whether you are making it for a family picnic or a backyard barbecue, Picnic Fried Chicken is a dish that is sure to please.

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