Baking Fried Chicken: No Flour, No Problem

Frying chicken without flour is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. It is also a simple way to make a quick and easy weeknight meal that can be served as an appetizer or a meal. The chicken is moist and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. There are several ways to make fried chicken without flour. For example, you can use cornstarch, cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or cereal, or ground nuts as a coating. You can also use baking powder to make the chicken crispy. This method does not require any flour or frying and can be cooked in an oven or air fryer.

Chicken parts suitable for frying without flour

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are the leanest part of the chicken and are perfect for those watching their calorie intake. They are also the quickest to cook but require careful handling to prevent drying out. When frying chicken breasts without flour, it is important to maintain a careful eye on the cooking process to avoid overcooking.

Thighs and Legs

Chicken thighs and legs are rich in flavor and naturally juicy. These cuts are forgiving even for novice cooks. They may take a bit longer to cook, but the results are well worth the wait. When frying chicken thighs and legs without flour, double frying is recommended for the best results. First, fry them at 300°F until they are golden brown. Then, remove them, let them rest for 15 minutes, and fry again at a higher temperature of 400°F. This technique ensures the chicken is perfectly cooked on the inside while achieving a crunchy exterior.

Wings

Chicken wings are the ultimate party snack. They cook quickly and are fun to eat. When frying chicken wings without flour, you can use a variety of cooking methods such as pan-frying, air frying, or oven baking. For pan-frying, spread the wings evenly in a large pan and let them fry for a minute. Then, cover them with a lid for 2 minutes. After that, flip the wings and cover again. Repeat the process of flipping and covering every 2 minutes until the wings attain a nice crunchy golden brown color on all sides. For air frying, place the wings in the air fryer basket and fry them at 350°F for 15 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F and fry for an additional 15 minutes until they are beautifully browned. For oven baking, place the wings on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake them at 400°F for 15 minutes on each side.

Whole Chicken

When frying a whole chicken without flour, cut the chicken into pieces after removing the mid-bone. You can then shallow fry or deep fry the chicken pieces. For shallow frying, heat enough canola oil in a pan so that the chicken is half-dipped. The oil temperature should be between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the chicken over medium heat, turning it every 5 minutes until it reaches a golden color, which should take about 30 minutes. For deep frying, you can follow a Chinese-style recipe by first brining the chicken in a mixture of water, soy sauce, ginger, and green onions. Then, parboil the chicken in a broth made with the same ingredients used in the brine, along with additional spices. Finally, deep fry the chicken in canola oil at 350°F until golden brown.

Ingredients and equipment needed

You can bake fryer chicken without flour, and there are a few different ways to do so. Here are the ingredients and equipment you will need for a few different recipes:

Option 1: Air Fryer Chicken Without Flour

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) or chicken thighs
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Baking powder
• Cornstarch
• Olive oil spray

Equipment:

• Air fryer
• Baking sheet

Option 2: Baked or Air-Fried Chicken With Baking Powder

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks, thighs, or wings (with skin on)
• Baking powder (aluminium-free, if possible)
• Salt (optional)
• Other seasonings (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder)
• Cooking oil spray

Equipment:

• Air fryer or oven
• Baking sheet
• Oven-safe baking/cooling rack

Option 3: Fried Chicken Without Flour

Ingredients:

• Chicken (boneless thighs with skin on, or other parts)
• Salt and black pepper
• Oil for frying (sunflower, canola, vegetable, or peanut oil)
• Other spices (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, chilli powder)

Equipment:

• Cast-iron pot (Dutch oven) or deep non-stick skillet
• Meat thermometer (optional)
• Paper towels or wire rack

How to fry chicken without flour

Frying chicken without flour is easy and can be done in an oven, air fryer, or deep pot. Here's a simple recipe for flourless fried chicken.

Ingredients

• Chicken (drumsticks, thighs, wings, or breasts)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oil for frying (sunflower, canola, vegetable, or peanut oil)
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, chili powder

Instructions

• Clean and dry the chicken pieces.
• Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings.
• Heat oil in a skillet or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Aim for a temperature between 350-375°F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can test if the oil is ready by dipping a wooden spoon into it. If you see bubbles forming around the spoon, the oil is hot enough.
• Place the chicken pieces into the hot oil one at a time. Fry until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway through. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, but it should be around 5-15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F.
• Remove the chicken pieces and let them drain on paper towels or a wire rack.

Tips:

• For crispier chicken, use chicken with the skin on. The skin protects the meat from drying out and adds a crave-worthy crispiness.
• If you want to add a crispy coating to your chicken, you can use alternatives to flour such as cornstarch, cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or cereal, or ground nuts.
• For a healthier option, you can cook the chicken in an air fryer instead of frying it in oil.

What to serve with flourless fried chicken

There are a variety of side dishes that go well with flourless fried chicken. Here are some suggestions:

• Salads: A fresh salad can pair well with the fried chicken, making the meal lighter and healthier. You can choose from a variety of salad options, such as a simple garden salad or something more elaborate like a cranberry quinoa salad.
• Vegetables: Green beans, roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or steamed vegetables are all great choices to serve alongside the chicken. You could also try something like green beans almondine or roasted yellow squash.
• Potatoes: Simple roasted potatoes or real potato French fries can be a delicious side dish. If you're looking for something more indulgent, you could make gluten-free southern baked macaroni and cheese.
• Bread: Fresh bread is always a great addition to a meal, especially if you want to make a sandwich with your fried chicken.
• Other side dishes: For a heartier meal, you could serve the chicken with gluten-free buttermilk biscuits or loaded bacon ranch potato salad.

Storing and reheating fried chicken without flour

Storing fried chicken:

• It is safe to reheat fried chicken, but it must have been cooled properly the first time around.
• Fried chicken should be left to come down to room temperature before being packaged and refrigerated.
• Smaller pieces, like wings, tenders, and drumsticks, will heat up faster and more evenly, so consider separating these if you're planning to reheat.
• Wrap the chicken to prevent the cool air from drying it out, and try not to layer the pieces on top of each other.

Reheating fried chicken:

• The best way to reheat fried chicken is in an oven, an air fryer, or on the stove. The microwave is not recommended as it will make the chicken soggy.
• Before reheating, the chicken should be left to come to room temperature. This will help the inside cook thoroughly without burning the outside.
• To reheat in the oven, place the chicken on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
• To reheat in an air fryer, cook at 375°F for 5-8 minutes.
• To reheat on the stove, heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 300°F, then add the chicken and fry for 2-4 minutes on each side.

Frequently asked questions