Introduction
In a way, fried chicken is one of those dishes that is impossible to place under a certain culture or region or style of cuisine. Mostly, it is a dish like it is enjoyed during meals, during parties, and as an artistic creation. It can be crunchy and greasy with a touch of hot seasoning or soft and moist with a coating that is crispy on the outside but tender on the inside; this dish will always leave you full.
In this article, published on your recipe website, you will learn all there is to know about fried chicken: its origins, the various forms and methods for preparation and some useful tips on how to achieve some amazing fried chicken right in your own kitchen.
Brief History of Fried Chicken
Butterfly chicken, or as it is more commonly known, fried chicken, is a delicacy whose origin can be traced in severals cultures. Frying has therefore been considered as one of the traditional ways of cooking chicken especially in West Africa where it was seasoned and fried mainly for preservative purpose and also to improve taste.
As for fried chicken, the method and technique which was used by the Americas’ African slaves in preparation of this food were unique hence this led to the emergence of what we commonly refer to as Southern-style fried chicken.
In the Southern part of the United States, fried chicken was chosen because of how easy it was to make as well as the products used. It was a dish that they could cook with very little facilities that was very energetic to the taste buds and very satisfying. Now, fried chicken has quite indulged the hearts of people all over the globe as every country tries to concoct its own recipe into the formula of fried chicken.
Essential Components of Fried Chicken
To have the perfect fried chicken several factors must be put into consideration and other elements have got to beincluded . Such elements complement each other to make the right proportions in terms of taste, tenderness and moisture, respectively.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes fried chicken so irresistible:Here’s a breakdown of what makes fried chicken so irresistible:
The Chicken: The type of chicken that one selects is very important when one is planning to engage in chicken farming. It is advisable to use fresh chicken meat when preparing this meal as this will guarantee you the best result. The parts of chicken you can use here are; the drumsticks, the thighs, the wings or the breasts – whichever you prefer. This is because dark meat has more fat content than the white meat counterpart therefore, having more volume once cooked.
The Marinade: The important thing here is to marinade the chicken, which can not miss. A good marinade enhances the desirable qualities of the chicken by adding more and /or better layer of the flavor and soften the meat. Some of the ingredients used are buttermilk which apart from enhancing the level of acidity also aid in the making of tender and moist breads. You may also want to include spices, hot sauce, garlic and herbs to the marinade depending on the kind that you are making.
The Coating: So much for the idea that it is the flour which produces the crunch; it is, in fact, the coating. The coating is made out of the following ingredients which are flour, cornstarch, and spices. That’s where cornstarch comes in handy to help get that extra crunchy texture. Sprinkling the flour with salt, pepper, a generous pinch of paprika, garlic powder and such makes each serving powerfully tasty.
The Frying Process: The frying process is one that helps bring out the magic behind the recipe. Whether you are dealing with a deep fryer, a cast iron skillet or a normal frying pan, the trick is to maintain the oil at the right temperature; mostly around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to fry the chicken up to this temperature so that it browns well on the outside as well as inside that it remains soft.
Resting and Draining: After the chicken is fried the correct way, one has to allow the chicken to sit on a wire rack. This makes it possible for the excess oil to drain off and also stops the paint coating from becoming wet. It also affords the chicken a possibility to cool marginally also, which assists the layer to become crispier.
Different Styles of Fried Chicken
The dish fried chicken goes through influences due to difference in culture and geographical location. Here are some popular styles of fried chicken from around the world:Here are some popular styles of fried chicken from around the world:
Southern Fried Chicken (United States): This would be what most people consider when they hear fried chicken Southern fried chicken it’s crisp with the skin and moist from inside. More often it is marinated in buttermilk and spiced with a variety of spices.
Korean Fried Chicken: The Korean boom primarily involves a thin and crunchy outside skin, and a flavourful sweet and spicy sauce. The chicken can often be double-fried in order to get crispy skin afterwards basted with a sauce, including soy sauce garlic sugar gochujang which is a spicy paste from Korea.
Japanese Karaage: Karaage is a form of fried chicken of Japan, which uses small portions of chicken thigh that is marinated in soy sauce, sake and ginger before being coated in potato starch and deep fried. Unlike the heavier and crunchier American style fried chicken karaage is comparatively less oily as well.
Nashville Hot Chicken: Originally from Nashville in Tennessee, this style of fried chicken is hot as hell. Post-frying process, the chicken is coated in a hot paste including cayenne pepper and pork fat or lard so the chicken really has a spicy taste.
Indian Fried Chicken: The Chicken 65 also known as Indian fry chicken is similar to KFC in terms of its deep red color and tangy spiciness. The chicken is rubbed with yogurt and other spices and seasonings such as turmeric, chili powder and garam masala for the chicken to absorb them and then fried to crispy.
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken: The latter is made out of small chunks of chicken that are marinated, dusted in sweet potato flour, and fried. The end product is a crisp savoury snack mostly accompanied by sprinkling of salt, black pepper and basil.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Fried Chicken
To make the best fried chicken at home, consider the following tips and tricks:The following are important factors you need to check when making the best fried chicken at home:
Choose the Right Oil: The type of cooking oil that should be recommended is the one that resistant to smoking and some of the recommended oils include; peanut oil, canola oil and vegetable oil. Such oils have the ability of coping with the high temperatures that may be needed for frying without baking and transferring the evil tastes to the chicken.
Maintain the Oil Temperature: The responsibility of maintaining right temperature of the oil taken falls on the cook in order to fry the units evenly. In case the oil is hot the chicken will turn brown on the surface and is well cooked at the center. If it is too cool the chicken will be engrossed with oil all over and will become greasy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Should not cook many chicken at the same time to avoid the situation where the pan receives unequal heat. Regarding the issue of overcrowding, it is usually the case since oil temperature is likely to reduce when several chicken pieces are cooked at the same time and therefore having chicken which is soft and not well fried.
Deep fry for the chicken: During the process of frying chicken, it is advisable to use a meat thermometer because the only way of making sure that the chicken is well cooked. You must ensure that through a food thermometer the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 ˚F (74 ˚C) before eating.
Rest the Chicken: Put it on wire rack after you have fried the chicken. This leads to the allowing off of excess oil and also helps the coating to stay crispy all through.
Experiment with Flavors: they only have to conform to the requirements of the health department so when basting your proteins or seasoning your foods do not lack creativity. It is also possible to alter the coating and in this case it is possible to add such spices as garlic, pepper or other Herbs or even cheese.
Serving Suggestions and Sides
Chicken industries include but not limited to; deep fried chicken these being a general product that is easily accompanied with side orders and gravies. Here are some classic and creative ideas to serve alongside your fried chicken:Here follows a list of more conventional and awesome ideas as to what to serve with fried chicken:
Classic Southern Sides: For your fried chicken eat with gravy; coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn bread and collard green. These sides complete the chicken and it also goes well with all the dishes that are served.
Spicy Sauces: For the lovers of the spices, you can accompany your fried chicken with some of the hot spices such as; the hot sauce, the sriracha mayo and the tangy buffalo sauce. These sauce enriches the taste and they complement the crispiness of the chicken.
Biscuits and Gravy: If you are a southerner then your fried chicken has to be served with buttermilk biscuits and creamy sausage gravy. However, linking the taste and the texture of an item to the palate makes it to be referred to as the best comfort food.
Pickles and Slaw: The pickles and the coleslaw do have that sour effect and each bite does have that effect as does the chicken which is crunchy and is fried in oil. You may wish to simply munch on it or otherwise add the mayo chicken filets on another sandwich with fried chicken.
International Twists: Here are other dishes that should be added to give an International touch of the fried chicken Kimchi: This is the Korean cuisine that is made from fermented cabbage Naan: This is bread from India Tempura Vegetables: This is a vegetable that is normally fried; it is from Japan.
Conclusion
Fried chicken is definitely not simply a meal, but it is a taste of social relationships among the people. Whether you are using them as a family meal or a friends’ party, or even if you are alone and want to learn how to fry chicken, mastering the art of frying chicken is something that will serve you right.
Through the identification of the key aspects of the dish, travelling through various styles and applying them, and certain tips and tricks which help cook perfect fried chicken – crispy, juicy and flavourful. Again as you proceed to work with different marinades, coatings and even ways of cooking you will be able to develop your favorite way of frying chicken.
Whether you just follow the standard southern recipe or you go out trying different recipes from other countries and geographical areas, the variations are almost limitless. So, let’s get down to business, put on your apron, heat up the oil and let’s get down to frying one of the most revered dishes in the world, namely fried chicken.