Home-style fried chicken is a classic delicacy that brings people endless wonderful memories and enjoyment. That golden and crispy exterior is drool-inducing, and when you take a bite, it makes a tantalizing crunching sound. The inside is tender and juicy chicken meat, emitting an alluring fragrance. Every bite allows you to feel the richness of the delicious flavor, as if it’s dancing on your tongue.
Ingredients for home-style fried chicken
| Chicken | one |
| Ginger | 8g |
| Scallion | 6g |
| Sichuan Pepper | 7g |
| Cooking wine | 10g |
| Oyster sauce | 5g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Salt | 5g |
| Pepper powder | 3g |
| Chili paste | 10g |
| Flour | 100g |
| Starch | 100g |
| Thirteen-spices | 3g |
| Coriander | 12g |
| Edible oil | 250g |
| Chicken matsutake | 7g |
Steps:
1.First, prepare a whole chicken. Cut off the feet and remove the tail. Split the chicken in half from the middle. Rinse it in water to remove any blood, then pat dry. Do not cut the chicken completely in half to maintain its shape.
2.Next, marinate the chicken. Slice a piece of ginger into thin slices and place them in a bowl. Crush a few stalks of green onion and add them to the bowl. Add 5 grams of Sichuan peppercorns, 10 grams of cooking wine, 5 grams of oyster sauce, 3 grams of salt, a little sugar, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, and 10 grams of chili sauce. Evenly coat the chicken’s surface and interior with the marinade and let it marinate for 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
3.Prepare a large bowl and add 100 grams of flour, 100 grams of cornstarch, using a 1:1 ratio. Add 3 grams of thirteen-spice powder, 2 grams of Sichuan peppercorns, 2 grams of salt, and 3 tablespoons of chicken essence. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly.
4.Place the marinated chicken into the bowl with the dry ingredients and coat the chicken evenly with the flour mixture. The flour will help lock in the moisture of the chicken, prevent oil splattering during frying, and create a crispy texture.
5.When all the ingredients are ready, start frying the chicken. Heat an adequate amount of cooking oil in a pan until it reaches 60% of its heating capacity. Once the oil starts smoking slightly, gently place the flour-coated chicken into the pan and shake the pan lightly to prevent sticking. Fry one side on low heat for about 8 minutes, continuously pouring hot oil over the exposed parts of the chicken. This ensures the inside and outside of the chicken are cooked consistently while preventing the bottom from burning. Flip the chicken and fry the other side, continuing to pour hot oil over the exposed parts. Initially, use high heat to quickly set the surface of the chicken, then reduce to low heat to cook the inside thoroughly. When removing from the pan, increase the heat to high to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. After approximately 8 minutes of frying, the chicken will be cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the pan, drain excess oil, and plate the chicken.
6.Prepare a serving plate and garnish it with a circle of cilantro. Place the fried chicken on the plate.
Tips
1.Soak the chicken in saltwater or an acidic marinade in advance to make it more tender and enhance its flavor. The recommended marinating time is generally 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2.Before frying the chicken, gently pat the surface dry with kitchen paper towels or a clean cloth to remove excess moisture. This will help achieve a crispier texture.
3.Pay attention to controlling the oil temperature during frying. If the oil temperature is too high, the surface may quickly turn golden brown while the inside remains undercooked. Keep the oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C) to ensure the chicken is fried to a golden crispy texture while maintaining its juiciness.
4.The frying time may vary depending on the size and type of chicken pieces. Make sure each piece is fried until golden brown and fully cooked. You can also fry larger pieces first and then smaller ones to better manage the overall frying time.
Home-style fried chicken not only delivers scrumptious flavors but also evokes a feeling of warmth and contentment. It is an ideal choice for family gatherings, social gatherings with friends, or leisurely moments. Whether it’s children or adults, everyone is captivated by this dish because it offers a distinctive and pleasurable experience.