Want to make fried chicken that's crispy, juicy, and so good it'll bring tears of joy? Follow this detailed guide, complete with tips and tricks for perfect results every time.
Essential Tips for Making Fried Chicken at Home
Before diving in, here are a few key points:
- Air Fryer vs. Deep Frying: While air fryers can produce delicious results, they won’t replicate the crispiness of deep-fried chicken. For air fryer use, skip the flour coating and fry the marinated chicken directly for a flavorful, crispy skin.
-
Measurement Tips:
- A teaspoon (tsp) holds about 6g of salt.
- A tablespoon (tbsp) holds about 16g of soy sauce.
Make sure you don’t mix them up!
Ingredients for Irresistible Fried Chicken
- Chicken thigh with skin: 1.5 lbs (deboned)
- Flour: 2 cups
- Starch: 2 cups (tapioca, corn, or sweet potato starch)
- Eggs: 2
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
- Minced ginger: 2 tsp
- Minced garlic: 2 tsp
- Olive oil: 1 tsp
- Sugar: 2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1 tsp
- Optional spices: cumin powder, pepper salt, etc.
Step-by-Step Fried Chicken Recipe
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Wash and debone chicken thighs, ensuring each piece retains some skin for extra flavor.
- Flatten the meat and cut it into bite-sized pieces, keeping the bones for soup later.
2. Marinate the Chicken
- Combine soy sauce, salt, ginger, garlic, sugar, black pepper, and olive oil with the chicken.
- Massage well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Prepare the Coating
- Mix equal parts flour and starch (start with 1 cup each, adding more as needed).
- Beat eggs in a separate bowl.
4. Coat the Chicken
- Coat each piece of marinated chicken in the flour-starch mixture.
- Dip it in the egg wash.
- Return it to the flour-starch mixture for a second coating.
- Let the coated pieces rest on a plate for a few minutes to set the coating.
5. Deep Fry the Chicken
- Heat fresh cooking oil until it reaches about 60% of maximum heat (medium-hot).
- Fry the chicken for 3–4 minutes, adjusting for size.
- Remove the chicken when the crust turns golden brown.
- Increase the oil temperature to 70–80% of maximum heat (hotter).
- Fry the chicken again for 1 minute to achieve an ultra-crispy texture.
6. Serve and Enjoy
- Pair with ketchup for a classic taste or Japanese-style mayonnaise for authenticity.
Pro Tips for Perfect Fried Chicken
- Oil Safety: Use high-quality fresh oil, and avoid frying for more than 5 hours continuously.
- Avoid Sticking: Don’t stir chicken immediately after adding it to the oil. Let the coating set first.
- Temperature Matters: Double frying ensures a crispy shell and juicy interior.
- Customization: Adjust spices and sauces to suit your personal taste.
This easy-to-follow guide ensures you’ll create fried chicken so good it rivals any restaurant. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply craving comfort food, this recipe will deliver crispy, flavorful results every time.
