Marianne Martinez
Frying a chicken in a turkey fryer is a great way to make the most of your oil and equipment. You can fry a whole chicken or chicken pieces in a turkey fryer, and the process is similar to baking, as you apply a consistent temperature throughout. You can use a range of seasonings, from a simple oil and butter mix to a custom spice blend with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or dry adobo.
How to cook a chicken in a turkey fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oil temperature | Consistent |
| Chicken | Cut into pieces |
| Turkey fryer | Oil-based or oil-less |
| Chicken coating | Seasoned flour |
| Brine | Buttermilk |
| Marinade | Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, dry adobo, or custom mix |
| Internal temperature | 160°F |
| Resting temperature | 165°F |
| Resting time | 15-20 minutes |
| Reheating temperature | 400°F |
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What You'll Learn
Using a whole chicken or chicken pieces
If you're using a whole chicken, you'll want to wash it thoroughly before cooking. You can season the chicken with oil, butter, and/or your favorite BBQ rub. If you're using chicken pieces, you can brine them in a flavorful buttermilk marinade, coat them in seasoned flour, and then fry them until golden brown in a cast-iron skillet.
If you're using a traditional turkey fryer with oil, it's important to maintain a consistent oil temperature. Using a deep-fry thermometer can help with this. You'll also need a frying basket. If you're using an oil-less turkey fryer, you can skip the oil, but you'll still need to season the chicken with oil, butter, and/or your favorite BBQ rub.
When frying chicken pieces, you can introduce more flavor and season the meat more effectively. You can also customize the spices to suit your taste, such as using Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or dry adobo.
If you're reheating chicken, remove it from the fridge and bring it to room temperature. Heat the oven to 400 F. Put the chicken on a rack set in a baking sheet and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until heated through and crisp. The minimum safe temperature for cooked chicken is 165 F.
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Preparing the chicken
Brining the Chicken:
Start by cutting the chicken into pieces. You can use pre-cut chicken parts or break down a whole chicken into the required pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a brine solution, which can be a simple mixture of water and salt, or you can get creative and use a buttermilk marinade with added spices and herbs. Ensure that the chicken is fully submerged in the brine and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Brining helps to infuse moisture and flavour into the meat.
Coating the Chicken:
After brining, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. Prepare a seasoned flour mixture in a separate bowl. You can use a basic flour coating or experiment with different seasonings like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or dry adobo. Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
Using a Frying Basket:
If your turkey fryer comes with a frying basket, coat the wire frame with oil to minimize sticking. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the basket, making sure they don't overlap. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and allows for easier handling when placing it into the fryer.
Oil Temperature:
When using a traditional turkey fryer that requires oil, maintain a consistent oil temperature. The ideal temperature range for deep-frying chicken is between 350°F to 375°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust the heat as needed. This ensures that the chicken cooks thoroughly and achieves a crispy texture.
Oil-less Turkey Fryers:
If you're using an oil-less turkey fryer, like The Big Easy® Oil-Less Turkey Fryer, season the chicken with oil, butter, and your favourite BBQ rub. These fryers utilize TRU-Infrared™ technology and don't require preheating, making the cooking process more convenient.
Remember, preparing the chicken is a crucial step in ensuring food safety and achieving the best flavour and texture. Always maintain a clean work environment and wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw chicken.
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Cooking the chicken
To cook a chicken in a turkey fryer, you can use a whole chicken or cut it into pieces. If you're using a Big Easy® Oil-Less Turkey Fryer, you can season with oil, butter, and/or your favorite BBQ rub. The fryer then does the rest of the work. If you're using an oil fryer, you'll need to heat the oil to a consistent temperature and use a frying basket.
If you're frying pieces, you can brine them in a flavorful buttermilk marinade, coat them in seasoned flour, and then fry them until golden brown. You can also use a cast-iron skillet for this.
If you're frying a whole chicken, wash it thoroughly before placing it in the fryer. You can also try a beer can chicken recipe, which involves placing a beer can inside the chicken to keep it moist.
Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, which should take about an hour. The cook time may vary depending on the weather conditions and the size of your chicken. Once it's cooked, let it rest for 15-20 minutes, during which the internal temperature will continue to rise to the target temperature of 165°F.
You can also use the leftover carcass to make stock and gravy.
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Resting and serving the chicken
Once your chicken is cooked, it's important to let it rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that your chicken is juicy and tender. Lift the basket out of the cooking chamber and set it on a shallow sheet pan until it's cool to the touch. Then, remove the chicken from the basket and place it on a tray or cutting board. Tent it loosely with foil to keep it warm and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature of the chicken will continue to rise, reaching the target temperature of 165°F.
While the chicken is resting, you can make any necessary side dishes or sauces to accompany your meal. If you're serving a whole chicken, you may want to consider carving it before serving to make it easier for your guests to serve themselves. Use a sharp knife to carve the chicken into slices or pieces, ensuring that everyone gets a good mix of white and dark meat.
If you're serving a fried chicken, the crispy skin is a delicious treat for your guests. However, if you're reheating leftover chicken, it's best to remove the skin as it can become rubbery and unappetizing. To reheat chicken, bring it to room temperature and then heat the oven to 400°F. Place the chicken pieces on a rack set in a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through and crisp. Ensure that the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165°F for food safety.
Finally, it's time to serve your chicken! Arrange the pieces on a large platter, or serve the carved slices family-style on a large serving dish. If you've made a gravy or sauce, don't forget to serve it on the side. Your chicken will be tender and juicy, with a delicious crispy exterior. Enjoy!
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Storing leftovers
Firstly, you should let the chicken cool completely. Then, carve it into large pieces, removing the wings, drumsticks, thighs, and breasts, and keeping the skin on. Place the carved chicken pieces back into the roasting pan, cover well, and store in the fridge. Make sure to store the chicken within two hours of cooking it.
Leftover chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to keep it for longer, consider freezing it. Frozen cooked chicken will stay good for three to four months. When freezing, it is better to not cut up the chicken too much before freezing.
To reheat the chicken, it is best to avoid the microwave, as this can dry out the meat and leave the skin chewy. Instead, use an oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the chicken in the roasting pan, pour some stock (chicken, turkey, or vegetable) over the meat to moisten it. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chicken is warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a turkey fryer to cook a whole chicken or chicken pieces. To cook a whole chicken, season with oil, butter, or your favorite BBQ rub. If you are cooking chicken pieces, coat the wire frame of the roaster basket with oil before inserting the chicken.
The cooking time varies based on the size of the chicken and weather conditions. On average, the chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 160°F, which takes about 1 hour. After removing the chicken from the fryer, let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes while the temperature rises to 165°F.
The minimum safe temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
Yes, you can use the same recipe for chicken. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chicken.
