Extra Crunchy Fried Chicken Recipes

EXTRA-CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Roughly chop 1 bunch rosemary, sage and thyme, 5 of the bay leaves and the 3 garlic cloves. Add to a bowl, and mix with the olive oil, 3 tablespoons salt and 2 tablespoons pepper. Rub the birds with the herb mixture so it sticks to the skin. Transfer the chickens to a roasting pan.
• Roast for 2 1/2 hours, or until the temperature between the breast and thigh near the bone registers 150 degrees F. At this stage the chickens are 75-percent cooked. Set aside to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, break down the birds into 10 pieces each, with the breasts boneless and halved. You will end up with a wing, leg, thigh and 2 pieces breast meat per half chicken.
• In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce and sugar. Submerge the chicken pieces in the buttermilk and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Fill a large, heavy pot with grapeseed oil to a depth of 3 inches. Turn the heat on, and add the remaining bunches rosemary, sage and thyme, the remaining 5 bay leaves and the head of garlic, broken into cloves. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. The herbs and garlic will crisp up and perfume the oil as it comes to temperature. Once they are crispy, remove them to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside--they will serve as a garnish for the finished dish.
• In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rice flour, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/3 cup salt and 1/4 cup black pepper; mix thoroughly. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk (do not dry) and coat well in the flour mixture.
• Without over-crowding the pot, fry the breaded chicken until all the pieces are golden brown and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a clean kitchen cloth and season with flaked salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Line a serving platter with a paper bag, brown parchment paper or a clean napkin. Pile the chicken onto the platter. Serve with the fried herbs and garlic and the lemon wedges.

EXTRA-CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix eggs and water together in a small bowl.
• Place some chicken strips in the flour mixture to coat, then gently shake to remove any excess flour. Coat strips in egg. Return to the flour mixture and coat again; repeat with egg mixture. Coat once more in the flour mixture, placing strips on a plate while you continue with remaining chicken.
• Let strips sit for 5 minutes to allow flour to set.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); oil is ready if you drop some water in and it sizzles.
• Working in batches if needed, place strips in the hot oil. Cook for 8 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook until golden brown, no longer pink in the centers, and juices run clear, about 8 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Place strips on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

EXTRA CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the pancake mix with one package of the Italian salad dressing mix.
• Combine the other package with the egg and club soda or beer.
• Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, then in the pancake mix mixture.
• Place pieces on a wire cooling rack without allowing to touch each other.
• Let dry for 5 minutes.
• Spray baking pan with non stick spray and place chicken on without allowing pieces to touch each other (chicken will be soggy if you do).
• Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until done.
• OR:.
• Deep fry at 425° for about 7 minutes.

TRIPLE DIPPED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In one medium bowl, mix together 3 cups of flour, garlic salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, paprika and poultry seasoning. In a separate bowl, stir together 1 1/3 cups flour, salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, egg yolks and beer. You may need to thin with additional beer if the batter is too thick.
• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Moisten each piece of chicken with a little water, then dip in the dry mix. Shake off excess and dip in the wet mix, then dip in the dry mix once more.
• Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 15 to 18 minutes, or until well browned. Smaller pieces will not take as long. Large pieces may take longer. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving.

MEGA CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the chicken parts with paper towels.
• Sprinkle the chicken parts generously with salt and pepper.
• Whisk thoroughly in a medium bowl the 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk and the 1 t. salt.
• Mix together on a plate: flour, 2 t. salt and 2 t. black pepper.
• Heat the shortening in a deep, heavy pot or deep-fat fryer to 350 degrees.
• Toss the breast meat pieces in the flour mixture and then moisten thoroughly in the egg mixture. Lift each piece out of the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
• Roll in the flour mixture again until completely coated. Sprinkle each piece with paprika.
• Then immerse into the hot oil. Fry for about 15 minutes or until cooked "through," turning the pieces several times.
• Remove the pieces to a baking sheet lined with brown paper bag or paper towels. Hold in a warm oven.
• Repeat the process with the thighs and drumsticks, frying those pieces for about 20 minutes.

EXTRA-CRUNCHY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove 6 tbsp buttermilk and set aside. To remaining buttermilk, add salt and whisk until dissolved. Cut chicken in 8 pieces (2 legs, 2 thighs, cut each breast in half). Submerge chicken in buttermilk brine. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, thyme, pepper, garlic powder and baking powder. Add reserved buttermilk and toss with fingertips to form pea-sized crumbs.
• Drain chicken and transfer to breading, 2 pieces at a time. Pack breading onto chicken firmly.
• Heat 4-5 cups vegetable shortening or peanut oil to 375°F It should be about 3/4" deep in the pot. Place chicken into hot fat, skin side down. The temperature will drop to about 300°F; maintain the temperature at 310-315°F Cover pot and cook 8-10 minutes; check chicken after 4 minutes to ensure even browning, and move pieces around if needed. After 8-10 minutes, turn pieces over; cook another 6-8 minutes until the second side is also golden brown.
• Remove chicken and drain on paper towels. Allow to drain and cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Melt butter in 15x10x1-inch pan in oven.
• In shallow dish, mix flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture. Place chicken, skin sides down, in pan.
• Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Turn chicken; bake about 20 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest pieces are cut to bone (at least 165°F).

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.