The Ultimate Guide to Crispy Chicken: Tips and Tricks

Crispy chicken is a universally loved dish, savoured for its tantalising blend of textures and flavours. The secret of how to cook crispy chicken lies in the preparation (that is, how to clean chicken, and the ingredients for crispy chicken) and cooking process. This guide will walk you through how to make crispy chicken at home, along with a few tips and tricks to enhance your culinary skills.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into how to make crispy chicken, it's essential to understand the basics of what makes chicken crispy. The key lies in the skin and the coating. The skin, when cooked correctly, provides a natural crunch; when exposed to high heat, the fat under the skin melts away, leaving the skin to crisp up. Skin-on chicken tends to be more flavourful, especially with the bones left in, and organic grocery store chicken tends to be more flavourful than battery-farmed chicken because of the chickens’ varied diet.

For those who prefer skinless chicken, fear not. You can still achieve a crispy exterior by only using a coating. If you want to know how to clean chicken of its skin, then the best way is to make a small cut with a knife and pull the skin off from there. The most common method of coating a chicken piece is to dredge the chicken in flour or breadcrumbs. For a thicker, crunchier coating, you can dip the chicken in a liquid (like beaten eggs or buttermilk) before dredging it in the coating. The coating prevents the chicken's juices from escaping and ensures the meat remains juicy and tender while the exterior gets crispy. Coatings can also make your crispy chicken more flavourful – try adding your favourite spices to the coating to tickle your taste buds.

Another crucial factor in how to make crispy chicken is the cooking method. Deep frying is the most common method used to achieve a crispy exterior. However, baking and air frying are healthier alternatives that can yield similar results.

Deep Frying

Deep frying involves submerging the chicken in hot oil. The high heat of the oil cooks the chicken quickly, sealing in the juices and creating a crispy exterior. It's important to use an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil, and to maintain the oil at the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C). For a healthy option, consider frying chicken in olive oil – refined olive oil has a smoke point of around 200ºC, and is also highly nutritious. For more information, check out this blog from Originz to answer the question “can you fry chicken in olive oil?”

Baking

Baking is a healthier alternative to deep frying that can still yield a crispy exterior. To achieve this, bake the chicken in an oven at a high temperature (around 400°F or 200°C) and use a wire rack to ensure the heat circulates evenly around the chicken.

For extra crispiness, you can brush the chicken with a little oil or butter before baking. This will help the coating brown and crisp up, and enhance the flavour of the other ingredients for crispy chicken.

Air Frying

Air frying is another healthy alternative that uses hot air to cook the chicken. This method can yield a crispy exterior similar to deep frying, but with less oil. It's important to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken and to cook the chicken in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Like with baking, you can brush the chicken with a little oil or butter before air frying to help the coating brown and crisp up.

FAQs

Is frying chicken in oil healthy?

Frying chicken in oil can be healthy if you choose the right kind of chicken and the right kind of oil. Unrefined oils like vegetable oils or olive oil can offer many nutritional benefits, but have a lower smoke point than some refined oils, and are therefore better for pan-frying than deep-frying. Be sure also to shake excess oil off the chicken before serving.

Can I make crispy chicken without flour?

Yes you can – consider using alternatives such as panko breadcrumbs, cornstarch or almond flour. These ingredients for crispy chicken can also make your chicken gluten free, so if you suffer from celiac disease, this may be a path for you.

How do I keep my chicken crispy when stored?

To keep chicken crispy, reheat it in an oven or a grill to avoid excess moisture. Microwaving crispy chicken can make it lose its crunch, because microwaves keep moisture in and make the coating soggy.

Creating the perfect crispy chicken involves understanding the basics, preparing the chicken properly, and choosing the right cooking method. With these tips and tricks, you're well on your way to mastering how to make crispy chicken at home. Remember, cooking is an art, and every artist has their own style. Don't be afraid to experiment with different coatings and cooking methods to find what works best for you, and feel free to experiment with our delicious organic recipes to tailor them to your taste profile. Happy cooking!

Further Read,

• Sweet Potato vs White Potato

• How to make macaroni salad

• Fresh Foods vs Frozen Foods