Frying Chicken Strips: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served as a party appetiser, a weeknight dinner, or even meal-prepped for lunches. While there are many ways to cook chicken strips, deep frying is a popular method that yields crispy and golden results. But how long do they need to be in the deep fryer for?

Oil temperature

The oil temperature is crucial for frying chicken strips. The ideal temperature range for frying chicken is between 350°F and 375°F (180°C to 190°C).

The oil should be heated to this temperature before adding the chicken. An oil thermometer is useful for checking the temperature. You can also test the oil by adding a drop of water—if it sizzles, the oil is hot enough.

It's important to maintain the oil temperature while frying. Adding chicken to the oil will cause the temperature to drop, so fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. If the oil temperature drops too much, the chicken will absorb more oil and become soggy. If the oil is too hot, turn down the temperature slightly.

The oil temperature may also need to be adjusted as the chicken cooks, as the oil will get hotter. If the oil gets too hot, it may start to smoke and burn, so keep an eye on it. If your oil gets dirty, you can add more oil to clarify it, but this will temporarily cool the temperature.

Once the chicken is added to the fryer, it should be cooked for around 5–8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the strips. Thicker strips will take longer to cook through.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make chicken strips in a deep fryer:

• Chicken breasts
• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying
• Salt
• Pepper
• Any additional spices or seasonings (e.g. garlic salt, paprika, cayenne pepper)

Preparing the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken breasts into strips. The size of the strips is up to you, but smaller pieces will cook faster. If you have time, you can dry brine the chicken by sprinkling it with salt and leaving it uncovered in the fridge for several hours. This will enhance the flavour and make the meat more tender and juicy.

Before breading the chicken, ensure that each piece is completely dry. If you want to be extra careful, you can pat the chicken with paper towels.

Breading the Chicken

Set up a breading station with three separate shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs and any additional seasonings you want to include. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs.

Dip each piece of chicken first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure every piece is thoroughly coated.

Frying the Chicken

Preheat the oil in your deep fryer to around 365-375°F. Place the chicken strips in the fryer in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for about 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Remove the chicken from the fryer and place it on a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Season with a bit of extra salt, if desired.

Serving

Chicken strips can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, ketchup, or ranch dressing. They also go well with a variety of side dishes, including fries, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and mac and cheese.

Breading station

To set up a breading station for chicken strips, you will need three shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix the flour with seasoned salt. You can also add in some grated parmesan cheese, garlic salt, paprika, or pepper. The second dish should contain a mixture of eggs and a small amount of water. You can also add some garlic salt to this mixture. The final dish should contain breadcrumbs. You can use plain, Italian-style, or panko breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, add some more seasoned salt and pepper to the breadcrumbs and mix well.

Some recipes suggest adding extra ingredients to the breading station. For example, one recipe includes grated parmesan cheese and minced parsley in the breadcrumb mixture. Another recipe suggests adding milk to the eggs in the second dish.

Once you have prepared the breading station, you can start dipping the chicken strips. First, dip the chicken in the flour, tossing to coat. Then, shake off the excess flour and dip the chicken into the egg mixture. Finally, place the chicken tender into the breadcrumbs and use your hands to press the mixture onto the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Frying time

The frying time for chicken strips in a deep fryer varies depending on the thickness of the chicken strips, the temperature of the oil, and the desired level of crispiness. On average, chicken strips will take around 5 to 8 minutes to fry in a deep fryer. However, it's important to note that the frying time may vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used.

Most recipes recommend frying chicken strips at a temperature between 350°F to 375°F (180°C). This temperature range ensures that the chicken cooks through without burning the exterior breading. It's important to maintain a consistent oil temperature throughout the frying process to avoid undercooking or overcooking the chicken.

When frying chicken strips, it's best to work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer. Overcrowding can cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy chicken strips. By frying in batches, you ensure that the oil temperature remains stable and the chicken cooks evenly.

The thickness of the chicken strips will also impact the frying time. For best results, cut the chicken breasts into uniform strips to ensure even cooking. Thinner strips will cook faster, while thicker strips may require additional time in the fryer.

Additionally, the type of breading used can affect the frying time. Some recipes call for a double breading technique, where the chicken is coated in flour, dipped in an egg mixture, and then coated in breadcrumbs or seasoned flour again. This extra layer of breading can add a few minutes to the frying time compared to a single breading process.

It's important to note that the chicken strips should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety. You can use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken strip to get an accurate reading.

Finally, when frying chicken strips, always allow the oil to come back up to temperature between batches. This helps maintain consistent results and ensures that each batch of chicken strips is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

Dipping sauces

Chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces that you can serve with your chicken strips:

Honey Mustard Sauce

Honey mustard sauce is a classic choice for chicken strips. It has a sweet and tangy flavour that pairs well with the crispy, fried chicken. You can make your own honey mustard sauce by mixing together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, and mustard. You can also add a dash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to increase the tanginess of the sauce.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is another popular option for chicken strips. It has a sweet and smoky flavour that complements the chicken. You can use a store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own by mixing together ingredients such as tomato paste, vinegar, sweetener, and spices.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a creamy and tangy sauce that goes well with chicken strips. It is made with a combination of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and herbs such as chives, parsley, and dill. You can make your own ranch dressing by mixing these ingredients together, or you can buy a prepared version at the store.

Spicy Dipping Sauces

If you like a little spice, there are several dipping sauces that can add some heat to your chicken strips. One option is to make a spicy mayonnaise by mixing together mayonnaise, hot sauce, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. You could also try a sriracha mayo, which is made by mixing together mayonnaise and sriracha sauce. For a smokey spice, add some chipotle pepper sauce to your mayonnaise.

Zax Sauce

Zax sauce is a spicy and creamy alternative to traditional barbecue sauce. It is similar to the Chick-fil-A sauce but with a spicier kick. You can make your own Zax sauce by mixing together mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste.

Frequently asked questions