Frying Chicken With Butterball Fryer: Time And Taste Perfection

Frying chicken in a Butterball fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy texture and delicious flavour. The average piece of chicken will need to be fried for 14 minutes, but this will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. White meat will be juicier at 165°F, while dark meat can be cooked to 170-175°F for the best texture. To get the perfect fried chicken, you should also make sure the oil is at the right temperature (350-375ºF/176-190ºC) and that you don't overcrowd the pan.

How to get the breading to stick

There are several ways to ensure that the breading sticks to your chicken. Here are some tips:

• Make sure the chicken is dry before you start the breading process. Remove the chicken from its package and let it sit on a drying rack over a sheet pan. You can also pat it dry with paper towels.
• Score the meat lightly with a knife (don't do this with vegetables).
• Do a three-part breading process: first, coat the chicken with plain flour; second, dip it in an egg/milk mixture; third, coat it with a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings.
• Make sure you have enough room in each container to adequately coat each piece of chicken.
• After breading, let the chicken sit for a few minutes before frying. This will help the coating stick better and give it a crispier texture.
• Make sure your oil is hot enough. The ideal temperature for frying chicken is around 350°F (177°C).
• Only flip the chicken once while frying. The more you flip it, the more likely the breading is to come off.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. Give each piece of chicken enough space so that they are not bumping against each other.

How long to fry chicken for

Frying chicken in a Butterball fryer is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to fry chicken for:

Preparation

Before frying, you should prepare the chicken by slicing the breasts in half lengthwise to get thinner pieces. If the pieces are uneven, use a mallet to flatten them out. This step ensures the chicken cooks evenly and is especially useful if you plan on using the chicken in sandwiches or burgers. You should also brine or marinate the chicken to tenderize the meat and add flavour.

Oil Temperature

It is crucial to heat the oil in the fryer to the right temperature. The ideal temperature range for frying chicken is between 350°F and 375°F (176-190°C). If the oil is too cold, the chicken will be soggy and oily, while temperatures that are too high may cause the chicken to burn or become raw inside. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, and adjust the heat as needed.

Frying Time

The time it takes to fry chicken pieces will depend on their thickness and whether they have bones. Boneless chicken breasts sliced in half lengthwise will take around 4-5 minutes to fry at 350°F. Thicker pieces and bone-in chicken will take longer, ranging from 10 to 15 minutes. To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips for Optimal Frying

To get the best results, avoid overcrowding the fryer. Fry the chicken in batches to maintain the oil temperature and prevent the pieces from sticking together, which can cause the coating to come off. Additionally, only flip the chicken once during frying to avoid disturbing the crunchy coating.

Reheating and Storage

Fried chicken is best served fresh, as the skin tends to lose its crispness upon reheating. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, use an oven or an air fryer to help maintain the crispness of the skin. Avoid reheating methods that may make the chicken soft or soggy, such as microwave cooking.

Oil temperature

When frying chicken in a Butterball fryer, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. The Butterball website recommends preheating the oil in the fryer to 375° F. This temperature is also recommended by several other sources for frying chicken.

It is important to monitor the oil temperature closely while frying. One source suggests that the ideal temperature is 350ºF/176ºC, but that it shouldn't go below 325ºF/163ºC. Another source recommends frying chicken at 375ºF for 7-8 minutes per side.

To ensure the chicken is cooked through, it should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF/74ºC. Dark meat can be cooked to a higher temperature of 170-175ºF for the best texture.

When frying chicken, it is important to not overcrowd the pan, as this can affect the oil temperature and the cooking of the chicken. It is also important to only flip the chicken once while frying to avoid disturbing the crunchy coating.

How to store fried chicken

Fried chicken is best when it's fresh, but you can still enjoy it for a few days after cooking if you store it properly. Here are some tips to keep your fried chicken crispy and delicious:

• Cool it down: Before storing, let the fried chicken cool down to room temperature. This will take around 15-20 minutes. Placing hot chicken in the refrigerator can cause condensation, leading to soggy chicken.
• Use airtight containers: Store the chicken in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. This prevents moisture from getting to the chicken and keeps it crispy. Avoid using containers that don't seal properly.
• Avoid overcrowding: Don't pack the chicken pieces too tightly in the container. Leave some space between them to allow air to circulate and prevent the chicken from becoming damp.
• Use a paper towel: Place a paper towel in the container with the chicken. It will absorb excess moisture and help keep the chicken crisp.
• Refrigerate promptly: Get the chicken into the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume it within 3-5 days for the best quality and texture.
• Freeze for longer storage: If you want to store the fried chicken for an extended period, consider freezing it. Wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or place them in airtight freezer bags. Frozen fried chicken can be stored for up to 12 months.
• Reheat properly: Microwaving fried chicken can make it soggy. Instead, reheat it in a conventional oven or toaster oven at 350-375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes. You can also use an air fryer or re-fry the chicken, but this may be more delicate.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your fried chicken leftovers while still maintaining that delicious crispy texture!

How to reheat fried chicken

Why Reheating Fried Chicken is Tricky

Fried chicken can be tricky to reheat as the crunchy outer layer often becomes soggy and greasy. This happens as the coating takes on some of the moisture from the chicken in the hours after cooking.

Yes, it is safe to reheat fried chicken, but it must have been cooled and stored properly. Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F before eating or reheating. If you're planning to store leftover fried chicken, let it come down to room temperature before packaging it and transferring it to the refrigerator.

Reheating fried chicken in the oven is the best method for maintaining a crispy outer coating and moist meat.

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Set an oven-safe rack on a rimmed baking sheet. The rack allows air to circulate from all sides, ensuring the bottom of the chicken is as crispy as the top.
• Lay the chicken in a single layer on the rack and let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
• Place the chicken in the oven and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked inside and out without being too deeply browned.

This is the fastest method, so you'll need to be careful to prevent the chicken from overcooking and drying out.

• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature on a kitchen rack.
• Add fry oil to a heavy-duty stock pot or Dutch oven and heat to about 350°F. You'll know the oil is hot enough when you see small bubbles rise to the surface.
• Slowly add the chicken to the oil—do not overcrowd the pan—and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, until crisp and heated through.

Air fryers work like a convection oven, so reheating chicken in an air fryer is similar to using an oven.

• Lay the chicken in a single layer on a rack in the air fryer and let it come to room temperature.
• Heat the air fryer to 375°F and reheat the chicken for 5-8 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it is fully crisped without being too deeply browned.

Not Recommended: Microwave Method

Although you can safely and quickly reheat fried chicken in the microwave, this method is not recommended as it dries out the juices from the chicken while toughening the coating.

Frequently asked questions