Agave Fried Chicken Recipes

SOUTHERN LIVING'S BEST FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon salt with 3 quarts water in a large bowl or container. Add chicken, cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse with cold water and pat dry.
• Stir together remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Sprinkle half the mixture evenly over chicken.
• In a large sealable plastic bag, combine remaining pepper mixture and flour. Add 2 pieces chicken to bag and shake well to coat. Remove chicken pieces, shaking off extra flour, and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Take a large (10- or 12-inch) cast-iron skillet or chicken fryer, for which you have a lid, and fit with a candy or deep-frying thermometer. Add oil and bacon drippings and heat to 360 degrees over medium heat; the oil will ripple and possibly give off a few wisps of smoke.
• Using tongs, immediately add chicken pieces, skin side down (work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding pan). The oil will drop to about 325 degrees, where it should stay; adjust heat so that oil is bubbling gently around the pieces. Cover and cook 6 minutes; uncover and cook 9 minutes. Turn chicken pieces; cover and cook 6 minutes. Uncover and cook another 5 to 9 minutes, depending on size of pieces. If necessary for even browning, turn pieces over a few times toward the end.
• Drain on paper towels or paper bags. Let cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SPICY AGAVE-ORANGE GLAZE

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine agave with juice concentrate, orange zest, garlic, salt and red pepper flakes. Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry. Season lightly with salt. In large non-stick skillet, heat margarine and oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 4 minutes, until seared. Turn chicken cook another 4 minutes until just cooked through. Pour agave mixture over chicken and cook, turning chicken to coat as sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Serve chicken breasts with agave-orange glaze spooned over the top.

EASY HOME-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat chicken with agave set aside. Combine baking mix, ginger, seasoned salt and pepper mix well. Roll agave-coated chicken in seasoned mixture. Brown chicken in hot oil in nonstick skillet. Drain excess oil. Place chicken on rack in baking pan and bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

AGAVE GLAZED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Stir together 1/2 cup soy sauce, onion, garlic, oil and ginger root. Place chicken in plastic bag and place in a bowl. Pour soy sauce over chicken and close bag. Chill for 3 hours, turning chicken occasionally to distribute marinade. Drain. Skewer chicken neck skin to back. Tie legs to tail twist wing tips under back. Place chicken breast side up on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast in 375°F oven for 1-1/2 hours or until drumstick moves easily. Mix 1/4 cup agave with 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Baste chicken with agave-soy mixture during last 15 minutes roasting time.

AGAVE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat chicken with agave set aside. Combine buttermilk baking mix, mustard, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow dish dredge chicken in mixture. Heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Carefully place chicken in hot oil and cook about 5 minutes or until underside of chicken is golden turn chicken pieces and cook about 5 minutes, turning as needed. Reduce heat to low and cook 15 to 20 minutes more or until juices run clear. Remove chicken drain on paper towels.TIP: Chicken can be browned in hot oil, placed on baking sheet and baked at 350°F for 25 to 35 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

EAST-MEETS-WEST CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut 2 slashes an inch apart across the width of each chicken breast. Place chicken in a large bowl or large plastic zip-loc bag. Add agave, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Add a large pinch of salt and black pepper. Toss well until chicken is coated. Refrigerate 8 hours. Preheat oven to 450°F. Pour marinade into a saucepan and set aside. Place chicken on a rimmed metal baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until chicken is just firm to touch. Before serving, bring marinade to a brisk boil for one minute. Drizzle marinade over chicken and serve.