Tiffany Haney
Deep-fried chicken legs are a popular dish, perfect for a family dinner or a special treat. They are easy to make and require few simple ingredients. Chicken drumsticks are inexpensive and can be cut from budget-friendly whole-frying chickens. The chicken legs can be marinated in buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper, and coated with flour, cornmeal, and salt. The oil temperature is crucial to cooking fried chicken properly. The oil should be heated to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit to get the right crisp texture. The chicken legs are then fried for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the juices run clear.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Chicken Legs in a Butterball Deep Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oil Type | Peanut oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, corn oil, olive oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower oil |
| Oil Temperature | 350-375°F |
| Chicken Temperature | 165°F |
| Marinade | Buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, hot sauce, fresh onions, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, egg, milk |
| Coating | Flour, cornmeal, bread crumbs, cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne |
| Frying Time | 7-8 minutes per side, 10 minutes per side, 12-15 minutes total |
| Frying Method | Deep frying, pan frying/shallow frying |
| Storage | Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days |
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Oil temperature
Before adding the chicken to the fryer, heat the oil to this temperature. This will help to compensate for the temperature drop when the chicken is added. It can take up to an hour to heat the oil to the correct temperature, depending on outdoor conditions.
Use a thermometer to monitor and maintain the oil temperature, making sure to keep it around 350 degrees throughout the cooking process. If the oil gets too hot, the breading will burn, and the chicken will not be cooked through. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will be oily and over-dense, and will not have the desired crispy texture.
To check if the chicken is cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a thermometer, you can check if the meat has shrunk away from the bone, or cut into the chicken to see if the juices run clear.
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Chicken preparation
Chicken Marinade
Start by preparing the chicken for marination. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, but do not rinse them as this can increase the risk of cross-contamination. You can use a combination of drumsticks and thighs, or opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer a shorter cooking time.
Next, prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper. You can also add fresh onions and seasonings like paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder for an extra kick. Mix well. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour or even overnight for more intense flavors.
Breading the Chicken
In a separate bowl, prepare the breading mixture. Combine all-purpose flour with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add cornmeal to this mixture for an extra-crunchy texture. Give it a good whisk to ensure everything is well combined.
Take each chicken piece and dip it first in the seasoned flour, making sure it's well coated. Then, transfer the floured chicken to the milk and egg mixture, ensuring it's thoroughly coated again. Finally, dip the chicken back into the flour for a second coating.
Frying the Chicken
Heat your Butterball deep fryer to 350-375°F. Peanut oil is a great choice for frying due to its high smoke point and flavor, but you can also use other oils like grapeseed, canola, corn, olive, sesame seed, or sunflower oil. Ensure the oil temperature is just right—too low, and your chicken will be oily and dense, and too high will burn the exterior without thoroughly cooking the interior.
Once the oil is hot, carefully lower the prepared chicken legs into it using long-handled tongs. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, and fry for about 7-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken is done when it turns golden brown and the juices run clear.
Always exercise caution when deep-frying, and maintain a safe distance when inserting or removing the chicken from the hot oil.
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Breading
One popular method is to use a simple flour breading. This involves coating the chicken drumsticks in seasoned flour and then frying them. The flour will create a crispy coating that locks in moisture, keeping the chicken juicy. You can season the flour with spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper. This method is best suited for deep frying, as it creates a shatteringly crisp coating.
Another option is to use a cornmeal coating. Cornmeal can give your chicken an extra-crunchy texture that is perfect for fried chicken. You can combine cornmeal with flour and salt in a resealable plastic bag, add the chicken drumsticks, shake to coat, and then fry.
If you're looking for an even crispier option, you can try a double breading method. This involves dipping the chicken pieces first in seasoned flour, then in a milk and egg mixture, and finally back into the flour. This creates a thicker, crispier coating that is sure to satisfy your crunch cravings.
For an extra juicy and flavourful chicken, you can also try marinating the chicken before breading and frying it. One option is to use a buttermilk marinade, which you can combine with spices such as Tabasco sauce, salt, and black pepper. You can also add fresh onions and seasoning to the buttermilk for even more flavour. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least an hour or up to overnight, then strain it before frying.
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Frying time
It is important to maintain the proper temperature of 350-degree oil to get your crispy fried chicken drumsticks. If the heat is too low, it will take longer for your chicken to cook and, in turn, leave you with oily, over-dense chicken. The ideal frying temperature for chicken legs is 375°F. Heat oil to this temperature in your Butterball deep fryer. Fry chicken, several pieces at a time, until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear. This should take 7-8 minutes on each side.
An average chicken leg will take approximately 12 to 15 minutes when deep pan-frying. However, it is advisable to check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure the meat is cooked to 165°F. Use a thermometer to monitor and maintain the temperature of the oil.
If you are using a braising pan to fry the chicken legs in about 2 inches of oil, it will take longer to cook because you have to flip them.
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Serving suggestions
Deep-fried chicken legs are versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:
Classic Southern Chicken and Waffles
Place the fried chicken legs on top of a crispy waffle and drizzle with maple syrup. This combination of sweet and savoury flavours is a classic Southern dish.
Spicy and Juicy
Add some spice to your chicken legs by incorporating cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or hot sauce into the flour mixture before frying. For an extra kick, double up on the cayenne and red pepper in the marinade. Serve with a cooling dip like a blue cheese sauce.
Chinese-Style Marinade
For a Chinese-inspired dish, add soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger to the marinade. You can also include some vegetables, like steamed broccoli or stir-fried peppers, to complement the flavours and add a healthy element to the meal.
Honey-Stung Caribbean Chicken
Add a sweet twist to your fried chicken with a Caribbean-inspired marinade. Mix 1/2 cup of honey with two tablespoons of raspberry or cider vinegar, then add it to your marinade. Adjust the frying temperature as the honey can cause the chicken to brown faster. Serve with a fresh, crisp salad.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
For a healthier option, spritz the air fryer basket and the chicken legs with cooking oil. Preheat your air fryer to moderately hot (375℉/190℃) and arrange the breaded chicken legs in a single layer. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and buttermilk biscuits.
Sides and Appetisers
Chicken legs can be served as a main dish with sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans. For appetizers or special occasions, serve the chicken legs as bite-sized pieces with dipping sauces like honey-mustard.
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Frequently asked questions
Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature for the oil to reach a crispy texture without burning the chicken.
Depending on the source, the cooking time for chicken legs varies between 7-8 minutes per side, 10 minutes per side, and 12-15 minutes in total. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the juices run clear.
The best way to check is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F. You can also check by looking at the meat around the skinny side of the leg. If it is cooked, the meat will have shrunk away from the bone, exposing more bone than when you started.
