Why Make This Recipe
Easy Fried Chicken is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s simple to prepare at home. It’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it a perfect choice for family dinners or parties. The brining process tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with flavor, ensuring each bite is delightful. Plus, you can customize the spice level based on your taste.
How to Make Easy Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
- 3 lb drumsticks or thighs
- 4 cups whole milk (can sub with water)
- 1/4 cup salt
- 8 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp black peppercorns
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups flour (or Gluten-Free Flour)
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tbsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup seasoning mix
- 1 cup cold water
Directions:
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Brine the Chicken: Pierce the chicken with a knife. In a large bowl, mix the whole milk (or water), salt, garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Add the chicken and let it brine for 2-3 hours or overnight.
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Prepare the Coating: In another large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.
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Make the Batter: Mix 1 cup of seasoning mix with cold water until smooth.
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Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the brine. Mix a few tablespoons of the brine with the seasoning to create clumps. Dip the chicken in the wet batter, then coat it with the seasoning mix. Let it rest while you heat the oil.
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Fry the Chicken: Heat the oil to 350°F. Fry the chicken for 8-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How to Serve Easy Fried Chicken
Serve your Easy Fried Chicken hot with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a fresh garden salad. You can also offer dipping sauces such as honey mustard or ranch to enhance the flavor.
How to Store Easy Fried Chicken
To store leftover fried chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the oven to retain its crispy texture, or use the microwave if you prefer.
Tips to Make Easy Fried Chicken
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F.
- Allow the chicken to rest after frying; this keeps it juicy.
- Experiment with different spices in the seasoning mix for varied flavors.
Variation
For a spicier version, add more cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the brine. You can also try adding smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs or drumsticks?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they may cook faster, so adjust the frying time accordingly.
2. Is it necessary to brine the chicken?
Brining helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step.
3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour and ensure your seasoning mix is also gluten-free.
Easy Fried Chicken
Ingredients
For the Brine
- 3 lb drumsticks or thighs
- 4 cups whole milk (can sub with water)
- 1/4 cup salt
- 8 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp black peppercorns
- 3 bay leaves bay leaves
For the Coating
- 2 cups flour (or Gluten-Free Flour)
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tbsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp baking powder
For the Batter and Frying
- 1 cup seasoning mix
- 1 cup cold water
- oil for frying Heat to 350°F
Instructions
Brining the Chicken
- Pierce the chicken with a knife.
- In a large bowl, mix the whole milk (or water), salt, garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves.
- Add the chicken and let it brine for 2-3 hours or overnight.
Preparing the Coating
- In another large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.
Making the Batter
- Mix 1 cup of seasoning mix with cold water until smooth.
Coating the Chicken
- Remove the chicken from the brine.
- Mix a few tablespoons of the brine with the seasoning to create clumps.
- Dip the chicken in the wet batter, then coat it with the seasoning mix.
- Let it rest while you heat the oil.
Frying the Chicken
- Heat the oil to 350°F.
- Fry the chicken for 8-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.