Achieving the perfect balance between crispy and juicy chicken can be a daunting task, especially when aiming for a crunchy pan-fried result. This culinary delight demands a precise blend of ingredients, techniques, and attention to detail. Whether you prefer using dark or white meat, bone-in or boneless, the key lies in selecting the right pieces to ensure an even cook and maximum flavor. Discover the secrets of crafting a delectable pan-fried chicken that will tantalize your taste buds and become a staple in your recipe repertoire.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CRUNCHY PAN-FRIED CHICKEN
While we'll never turn down a deliciously deep-fried piece of meat, there's something delightful about crunchy, pan-fried chicken, too. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. Maybe it's the undeniable flavor. Either way, in this Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken recipe, you'll see exactly what we mean.For a crispy, golden exterior, our proven pan-fried chicken uses a mixture of breadcrumbs and cornmeal. After a quick pan-fry, this mix works its magic to create a super crispy crust on the outside with moist, tender meat full of flavor on the inside. This coating combination also works well on pork chops and boned chicken thighs. So, home cooks who master this simple crust can get creative with other dinner dishes, too.With only five ingredients and 10 minutes of actual cooking time, this simple chicken recipe is perfect for hectic weeknights or family Sunday suppers, alike. Now, that's pan-fried chicken at its best.
Provided by Southern Living Editors
Time 20m
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg, and dredge in cornmeal mixture.
- Cook chicken in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done.
CRUNCHY PAN-FRIED CHICKEN
This crispy coating is also terrific on skinned and boned chicken thighs or pork chops. From Southern Living.
Provided by LMillerRN
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish.
- Dip chicken in egg, and dredge in cornmeal mixture.
- Cook chicken in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done.
CRISPY PAN-FRIED NOODLES WITH CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES (GAI SEE LIANG MEIN WONG)
Crispy pan-fried noodles originated in the Shanghai and Suzhou region of China. As Shanghainese people migrated to Hong Kong, the dish came with them and became very popular there. It's known by a number of names, including "Hong Kong-style noodle" and "pan-fried noodles" in English; in Cantonese, it's often called "gong sik chow mein," and also the traditional "liang mein huang" (literally "two face golden," describing the two golden sides of the noodle nest). This recipe is the restaurant-style version with crunchy deep-fried noodles surrounding sautéed chicken and vegetables covered in brown gravy. As the gravy coats the noodles in the center, they soften and become similar to lo mein in texture. You can substitute other proteins for the chicken (beef, pork or shrimp, for instance); just adjust the cooking times.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 5h45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Combine the dried mushrooms and 2 cups cool water in a medium bowl. Cover and let soak at room temperature for 4 hours.
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a 14-inch wok over high heat. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until tender all the way through, about 3 minutes. Strain the noodles and divide them between two plates. Lift small amounts of noodles up and down with chopsticks to cool the noodles and form each plate of noodles into an 8-inch "bird's nest" shape. Let them cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, lightly cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken thighs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Mix the chicken and 3/4 teaspoon each salt, sugar, cornstarch, light soy sauce and Shaoxing wine together in a medium bowl and toss to coat. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon neutral oil until combined. Cover and refrigerate.
- Once the mushrooms are nearly rehydrated, bring 6 cups of water in the same wok to a boil. Blanch the carrots until slightly tender, about 1 minute. Strain the carrot out of the water with a spider or slotted spoon and place on a plate to cool slightly. Bring the water back to a boil, add the bok choy and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Strain the bok choy and place with the carrot. Set aside.
- Prepare the scallions by cutting them into 2-inch pieces, then thinly slicing them lengthwise. Chop the garlic so everything is ready for stir-frying.
- Meanwhile, mix the oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, and the dark soy sauce together in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 5 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Remove the mushrooms from the water with a slotted spoon (reserve the soaking water). Squeeze the water from the mushrooms, cut off and discard the stems and thinly slice the caps. Mix the sliced mushrooms with 1/2 teaspoon each salt, sugar, cornstarch, light soy sauce and Shaoxing wine in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon neutral oil and mix until combined. Mix the mushroom soaking liquid with the oyster sauce mixture until combined.
- Pour enough neutral oil into a wok (about 5 cups for a 14-inch wok) so it comes 2 inches up the sides but not above halfway up the wok. (See Cook's Note.) Heat over high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
- As the oil is heating up, loosen the noodles again just before frying by using chop sticks to separate and fluff them. Transfer one cooled noodle nest into a large spider, slowly and carefully lower it into the hot oil (step away from the wok as the oil may splatter for the first few seconds). Fry for 5 minutes. Flip the noodles using the spider and chopsticks, push any noodles back that are sticking out to keep the shape, and fry until the edges of the nest are crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the crispy noodles to a paper towel-lined plate. Wipe off as much oil as possible; the nest will crisp more as it sits.
- Repeat with the remaining nest of noodles, adding more oil to the wok if necessary to make sure the noodles are completely submerged. Drain on another paper towel-lined plate. Carefully discard the oil.
- Heat the wok over high heat until smoking. Pour in 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl it around the wok to coat the surface. Spread the chicken in an even layer and fry undisturbed until it starts to brown, about 2 minutes. Toss and stir-fry until the chicken is opaque, about 1 minute. Add the shiitake mushrooms and chopped garlic; stir fry for 1 minute. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine around the sides of the wok and stir fry until the wok is dry again, about 30 seconds.
- Add the oyster sauce mixture, carrots, bok choy and scallions. Bring to boil, slowly drizzle in half the cornstarch slurry and mix until thickened, about 30 seconds. Add more if needed.
- Transfer the noodle nests to plates or platters and pour the sauce into the middle of the crispy noodles. Serve hot.
TENDER PAN-FRIED CHICKEN BREASTS
First pan-fried, then baked, this will be the most tender, moist chicken you will ever try.
Provided by Alesia
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Fried Chicken Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Stir together flour, tarragon, salt, ginger, pepper, mustard powder, thyme, garlic powder, and oregano in a shallow bowl until well blended. Beat the egg together with the milk until smooth in a bowl. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shake off excess, then dip in egg, and again in flour. Set breasts aside to rest for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge the chicken breasts in flour again, and shake off excess. Brown the chicken in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Place onto a baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 453.2 calories, Carbohydrate 27 g, Cholesterol 120.9 mg, Fat 19.4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 40.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 1842.9 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN
I experimented for many years before developing this recipe. It's bits and pieces of hints I had heard over the years. I have had many compliments on this chicken. Most of this recipe is dependant on your own taste. It's more a matter of preparation and cooking method!
Provided by Elaine O
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Fried Chicken Recipes
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.5 g, Cholesterol 116.1 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 40.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 140.1 mg, Sugar 1.6 g
CRUNCHY BAKED "FRIED" CHICKEN
Make and share this Crunchy Baked "fried" Chicken recipe from Food.com.
Provided by SuzieQue
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine first 5 ingredients.
- Dip chicken pieces in milk.
- Then roll in cornmeal mixture.
- Place in a well greased 13x9 pan.
- Drizzle the butter over chicken.
- Bake uncovered in a preheated 375 degree oven for 50- 55 minutes.
- Note: I think chicken (fried or baked) tastes better if soaked for at least 4 hours in salt water.
- I use seasoned salt- about 3 Tbls.
- in a bowl of water big enough to hold chicken.
- Be sure to dry the chicken before using.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 781.4, Fat 56.1, SaturatedFat 24.3, Cholesterol 220.5, Sodium 1245.7, Carbohydrate 25.3, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 0.2, Protein 42.7
FRIED CHICKEN WITH PAN GRAVY
Mom's traditional fried chicken always cooked up golden brown and crispy. Drizzled with the pan gravy, this dish is real comfort food. -Ginny Werkmeister, Tilden, Nebraska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings (1-1/2 cups gravy).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first five ingredients. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat., In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/4 in. of oil; fry chicken until browned on all sides. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear, turning occasionally. Uncover and cook 5 minutes longer. Remove chicken to paper towels and keep warm., Pour off excess fat from the skillet, reserving the browned bits and 2 tablespoons drippings. Stir in flour and salt until blended; gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 468 calories, Fat 32g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 108mg cholesterol, Sodium 232mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 35g protein.
CREAMY PAN-FRIED CHICKEN
In this recipe, a rich creamy mushroom sauce pairs nicely with crunchy, tender chicken. It's a one-of-a-kind meal that will have your family asking for seconds!
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, beat egg and milk. In another shallow bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, curry powder and pepper. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then in flour mixture. , In a large skillet, brown chicken pieces on both sides. Cover and cook over low heat for 45 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. , Discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings; saute onions and mushrooms in drippings over medium heat until tender. Stir in dill and remaining salt. , In a small bowl, combine a small amount of cream and remaining flour until smooth. Add to skillet along with remaining cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes. Serve with chicken.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 780 calories, Fat 49g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 245mg cholesterol, Sodium 1079mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 51g protein.
Tips for Making the Best Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan to prevent the chicken from sticking and burning.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. The ideal oil temperature is between 350°F and 375°F.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
- Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Cook the chicken over medium-high heat until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. About 8 to 10 minutes per side.
- Drain the chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve the chicken hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or coleslaw.
Conclusion
Crunchy pan-fried chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your chicken turns out crispy, juicy, and flavorful every time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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