Description
Fiery Chicken Fries are crispy, spicy chicken strips marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated with a flavorful blend of flour, spices, and panko breadcrumbs, then deep-fried until golden and crunchy. Perfect as a snack or appetizer served with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 500 grams chicken breast, cut into thin strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust as needed)
For the Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Salt, to taste
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
For Frying
- Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce thoroughly. Add the chicken strips and ensure they are fully submerged. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt evenly. This seasoned flour will provide the crispy, spicy coating.
- Coat the Chicken Strips: Take each marinated chicken strip and dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it is well coated. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat the strip with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a frying pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Maintaining this temperature is key for achieving a golden, crispy finish without greasy chicken.
- Fry the Chicken Fries: Fry the coated chicken strips in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, flipping carefully, until the chicken fries are golden brown and crispy all over.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried chicken fries from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil for a crisper texture.
- Serve: Serve the fiery chicken fries hot with dipping sauces like ranch, spicy mayo, or garlic aioli for a delicious snack or appetizer experience.
Notes
- For even crispiness, ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 350°F while frying.
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and juiciness of the chicken.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and hot sauce levels to control the spice intensity.
- Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch but can be substituted with regular breadcrumbs if unavailable.
- Use a thermometer to monitor frying oil temperature for best results.
- Drain on paper towels immediately to avoid sogginess.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spicy chicken fries, crispy chicken strips, fried chicken recipe, appetizer, spicy snack
