A timeless favourite, fried chicken is always in style. But with busy schedules and hectic days, it can be tricky to know how to make a delicious dinner everyone will enjoy.
But don't worry - we've got the recipe you need! Our fried chicken dinner is just as tasty as ever, but thanks to a few easy steps and ingredients, it's now easier to make than ever. Best of all, it'll take you no time at all to whip up—so you can enjoy quality family time without having to spend hours in the kitchen.
Ready for a dinner that's as scrumptious as it is simple? Let's get started!
Gather the Ingredients for the Perfect Fried Chicken
Are you ready to cook up a delicious, finger-licking good fried chicken dinner for your family? With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a tasty treat that will have them asking for seconds.
Here's what you'll need to get started:
- 4 chicken thighs, skin removed
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- Canola oil for frying
Once all your ingredients are assembled, you're ready to start the cooking process. Make sure to take safety precautions when handling raw chicken and hot oil.
Preparing the Chicken for Frying
You've already preheated the oven and laid out the ingredients now it's time to prepare your chicken here are the steps you'll need to take:
- Rinse the chicken pieces in cold water and let them sit for 5 minutes to remove any excess dirt or grime.
- Pat each piece of chicken dry with a clean paper towel or cloth.
- Generously season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper (or your favorite spices).
- Place the chicken in a shallow bowl or tray and cover with buttermilk. Let this marinade for 15 minutes up to 24 hours for an even juicier chicken experience!
- Dredge each piece of chicken in seasoned flour and set aside until ready to fry.
Making the Batter for Crispy Fried Chicken
Making the batter for your fried chicken is a breeze! All you need are some basic pantry ingredients, like flour, salt and pepper. Here's how:
Start with mixing together 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper in a medium bowl.
Slowly add 1 cup of ice-cold water to the flour mixture while stirring in order to make sure there are no lumps.
Give the batter one final stir and you're ready to start frying!
Once your batter is prepped, grab your chicken pieces (breasts, thighs or legs - whatever you prefer!) and coat them thoroughly in the batter. Then, it's time to get your fryer ready for action! You'll want to heat up about an inch of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat - or use an electric deep fryer if you have one on hand. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a bit of batter into it - if it sizzles upon contact with the oil, then you're good to go!
Finally - carefully place your battered chicken pieces into the hot oil and let them fry for about 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy - turning once halfway through cooking time if necessary. When done, remove from pan using tongs or a slotted spoon and let them rest on some paper towels before serving hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Tips for Frying Chicken to Perfection
Making fried chicken doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few tips to help you fry up the best fried chicken your family has ever tasted.
Prepare the Chicken
Prepare the chicken first. The chicken parts should be rinsed in cold water and dried with paper towels. Add salt and pepper, or any other ingredients you choose. Before frying, dust each piece of chicken with flour for a crunchier result.
Heat the Oil
Two inches of oil should be heated over medium-high heat. While some people like peanut oil, others choose to use vegetable oil. Be sure that everything you choose has a high smoke point (above 350 degrees F). A small slice of bread can be dropped into the oil to test the temperature if you don't have a thermometer; it should sizzle when it reaches the oil and rise to the surface right away.
Fry the Chicken
Once your oil reaches the right temperature, carefully place your pieces of chicken in the pan one at a time, making sure not to overcrowd them. Fry on one side for roughly eight minutes until golden brown, then flip and fry on the other side for another 8-10 minutes until cooked through and crispy.
Put your finished pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil before serving hot!
Pairings to Accompany Delicious Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is even more delicious with the right slew of delicious sides. From slaw and potatoes, to mac and cheese, these side dishes make the perfect accompaniment to crunchy Southern fried chicken. And, since fried chicken is already a classic dish, here are some unique side-dish ideas to put even more fun into your meal.
Cheese Grits
Cheese grits are a favorite side dish in Southern cuisine and a great companion for simply prepared fried chicken. Grits made with vegetable broth are vegan-friendly and delicious. Add some sautéed green peppers or onions for even more flavor. Or you can whip up some vegan cheese grits with nutritional yeast for extra cheesy goodness.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Turn a Southern classic into something new by pairing it with fried green tomatoes. To keep things simple, use canned tomatoes and dip them in tempura batter sweetened with honey or agave syrup. Then fry them until crispy! Serve these along with some homemade tartar sauce or mayo-based dipping sauce for everyone at the table to enjoy.
Sweet Potato Salad
Treat your family to something special by serving sweet potato salad along with your fried chicken dinner. Peel two large sweet potatoes and dice them into cubes before roasting them in the oven until lightly browned on the outside but still soft in the center. Mix together cooked sweet potatoes, diced apples, finely chopped dates, chopped red onion, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil to create an amazing sweet potato salad!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Fried Chicken
You've managed to fry up enough delicious fried chicken to satisfy everyone's hunger, but did you know that you can store the leftovers and reheat it the next day? The best part is that it will taste just as good (if not better!) as when it was first fried.
Storing Fried Chicken
For maximum freshness and taste, store your leftover fried chicken in an airtight container with a lid. Be sure not to leave the chicken out at room temperature for more than two hours — if it has been out longer, then you should discard it.
Reheating Fried Chicken
When reheating fried chicken either in the oven or on the stovetop make sure that you are using a thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F before serving. To reheat in the oven preheat your oven to 350°F, place leftover fried chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until crispy and heated through. To reheat on the stovetop heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat, add your leftover chicken pieces, cover with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
So even if you have some leftovers, don't worry —just follow these simple steps to store them properly and get the same delicious oomph as when they were freshly made!
Conclusion
There you have it a delicious and easy fried chicken dinner that the whole family will love with just a few steps you can have a meal that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds whether you’re looking for a classic comfort food or a show stopping Sunday dinner, fried chicken is a great go-to dish that doesn’t have to be intimidating to make give it a go and see how the whole family enjoys this creative twist on classic fried chicken.
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