Frying Chicken Strips: How Long Should You Deep Fry?

Frying chicken strips is a great way to make a nostalgic dinner for both kids and adults. It's an easy, family-friendly meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. The key to getting crispy fried chicken strips is to maintain a steady oil temperature of around 350°-375°F. You can use a variety of oils, such as peanut, vegetable, canola, safflower, corn, soybean, or sunflower oil. Here are the steps to make delicious fried chicken strips:

1. Prepare the breading by combining dry ingredients in a shallow bowl and whisking together wet ingredients in another shallow bowl.

2. Bread the chicken by dipping each piece into the wet mixture, then into the dry mixture, ensuring both sides are coated.

3. Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 350°-375°F.

4. Fry the chicken strips in small batches for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

5. Drain the chicken strips on paper towels and keep warm while frying the remaining batches.

6. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, or ketchup.

Oil temperature

The ideal temperature for frying chicken strips is between 350°F and 375°F. This temperature range will ensure that your chicken is cooked through and has a golden brown colour.

It's important to maintain a steady temperature throughout the frying process. If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb it and become soggy. To avoid this, don't overcrowd the pan by frying too many chicken strips at once, as this will bring down the temperature. If the oil is too hot, you can turn down the temperature slightly.

You can check if your oil is hot enough by dropping a small piece of bread into it. If the bread sizzles and turns golden brown, your oil is ready for frying. Alternatively, you can use a candy or oil thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Dipping sauce

Chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served as party appetisers, a weeknight dinner, or even meal-prepped for lunches. They can be deep-fried, baked, or cooked in an air fryer.

While chicken strips are delicious on their own, they can be made even better with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to elevate your chicken strips:

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a classic choice for fried chicken. It has a sweet and tangy flavour that pairs well with the crispy coating of the chicken strips. You can also spike your barbecue sauce with some Dijon mustard or hot sauce for an extra kick.

Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is another popular option for chicken strips. It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavours, with a hint of spice from the mustard. You can make your own honey mustard sauce by mixing mayonnaise, honey, yellow mustard, and Dijon mustard. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for some extra tang.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a creamy and herby dipping sauce that goes well with fried chicken. It has a tangy and savoury flavour that complements the crispy chicken strips.

Spicy Horseradish Sauce

If you're looking for something with a bit of a kick, try a spicy horseradish dipping sauce. You can make this sauce by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. It's the perfect dip for chicken tenders if you want something with a spicy twist.

Chick-Fil-A Sauce

Chick-Fil-A sauce is a smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce that is perfect for dipping chicken strips. It's an extremely versatile sauce that can also be used on other proteins like steak, pork, or shrimp. To make it at home, mix together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey.

Zaxby's Chicken Fingers Dipping Sauce

This spicy, creamy sauce is a great alternative to traditional barbecue sauce. It's perfect for fried chicken and sandwiches. To make it at home, simply mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce, and season with black pepper to taste.

Other Ideas

There are endless possibilities when it comes to dipping sauces for chicken strips. You can also try green goddess dip, aioli, ketchup spiked with hot sauce, or peanut chilli sauce. If you're feeling creative, experiment with different spices, herbs, and ingredients to come up with your own signature sauce.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

Depending on the recipe, you will need:

• Chicken breasts or tenderloins
• Flour (all-purpose or seasoned)
• Breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, safflower, corn, soybean, or sunflower oil)
• Optional spices: garlic salt, dried basil, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper
• Optional extras: milk, honey mustard sauce, mayonnaise, horseradish, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, saltine crackers

Method

• Prepare the breading station: Place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls.
• Whisk garlic powder into the eggs.
• Season breadcrumbs generously with salt and pepper.
• Optional: For extra juicy chicken, dry brine the chicken by sprinkling with salt and letting it sit uncovered in the fridge for several hours.
• Remove the chicken from the fridge 20 minutes before frying for even cooking.
• Cut the chicken into thin strips before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Optional: Use a meat mallet to pound the meat and create texture on the outside, allowing the breading to grip onto the crevices.
• Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat in the flour or breadcrumb mixture.
• Optional: For extra crispy chicken, double-coat the chicken by dipping it back into the egg and then the flour/breadcrumbs again.
• Place the coated chicken on a wire rack to rest while you heat the oil.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350-375°F.
• Fry the chicken in small batches, a few pieces at a time, for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
• Optional: Keep the chicken warm in the oven while you fry the remaining batches.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the pan with chicken strips, or the oil temperature will drop, resulting in soggy chicken.
• To check if the oil is hot enough, flick a tiny piece of bread into the oil – if it sizzles and turns golden brown, the oil is ready.
• To store leftovers, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 4 months.

Enjoy your homemade fried chicken strips!

Breading

The breading is the key to delicious, crispy chicken strips. The process involves dipping the chicken in a wet mixture and then coating it with a dry mixture. This creates a golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy. Here are the steps to achieve the perfect breading for your chicken strips:

Step 1: Prepare the Wet Mixture

The wet mixture helps the dry coating adhere to the chicken. You can use different combinations of ingredients for the wet mixture, such as:

• Eggs: Beat one or two large eggs in a shallow bowl.
• Buttermilk: Add buttermilk to the eggs for a tangy flavour and to tenderize the meat. You can also use regular milk, which contains lactic acid to tenderize the chicken.
• Water: Add a small amount of water to the eggs to thin out the mixture.
• Garlic: Add garlic salt or garlic powder to the egg mixture for extra flavour.
• Mustard: Dijon mustard or other types of mustard can be added to the wet mixture for a zesty kick.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise can be combined with mustard and added to the egg mixture for extra flavour and creaminess.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Coating

The dry coating is what gives the chicken strips their crunch. There are several options for the dry coating:

• Flour: All-purpose flour is a classic choice for the dry coating. Mix it with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
• Breadcrumbs: Italian-style seasoned breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs can be used. For an extra crunchy texture, try using panko breadcrumbs, which are larger in size.
• Saltines: Saltine crackers are super crunchy and already seasoned with salt. Crush them and use them as a coating for a crispy texture.
• Spices: Enhance the flavour of your dry coating by adding spices like garlic salt, dried basil, paprika, cayenne pepper, or black pepper.
• Parmesan cheese: Adding shredded Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs boosts the savoury flavour.

Step 3: Dip and Coat the Chicken

Now it's time to bread the chicken! Follow these steps:

• Dip: Dip each piece of chicken into the wet mixture, making sure it's well coated.
• Coat: Next, dip the chicken into the dry coating, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Use tongs to handle the chicken to avoid messy fingers.
• Rest: Place the coated chicken on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow the coating to set.

Once all the chicken pieces are breaded, you can start frying them! Remember to fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature and avoid overcrowding the pan, which can result in soggy chicken. Enjoy your delicious, crispy chicken strips!

Frying time

The frying time for chicken strips depends on the type of chicken used, the temperature of the oil, and the desired level of crispiness. Here is a detailed guide on frying times for chicken strips:

Preparation

Before frying, the chicken strips should be prepared with a coating or breading. This usually involves dipping the chicken in a wet mixture, such as eggs, buttermilk, or flour, and then dredging it in a dry mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, or crackers. This coating adds flavour and texture to the chicken strips.

Frying

Chicken strips are typically fried in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. The ideal frying temperature for chicken strips is around 350°F to 375°F (180°C to 190°C). At this temperature, the chicken strips will fry for about 2 to 4 minutes on each side, or a total of 6 to 8 minutes. The strips are done when they turn golden brown and crispy.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure the chicken strips are fully cooked, it is important to check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The target temperature for white meat chicken tenders is 165°F. Alternatively, you can check for doneness by inserting a fork or knife into the thickest part of the strip; the juices should run clear, not pink.

Reheating and Storage

Leftover chicken strips can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 4 months. When reheating, it is recommended to bake the strips in the oven at 375°F to maintain crispiness. Microwaving is not advised as it can make the strips soggy.

Frequently asked questions