Deep-Frying Chicken Strips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chicken strips are a fun and easy meal to make for the whole family. They're also a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen! Making chicken strips in a deep fryer is a simple process that just about anyone can do. All you need is some chicken, a few basic ingredients for the breading, and a deep fryer. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make delicious, crispy chicken strips that everyone will love. So, get ready to impress your family and friends with your new culinary skills!

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

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

• Chicken breasts or tenderloins
• Buttermilk
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Eggs
• Oil for frying (co: 1,4>canola, vegetable, or peanut)
• Seasonings (co: 0,1,2,3,4,5>salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, etc.)

Marinating the Chicken

For juicy and tender chicken strips, it is recommended to marinate the chicken in buttermilk for about 30 minutes at room temperature. This helps to tenderize the meat and adds flavor. You can also add hot sauce to the buttermilk for an extra kick.

Breading the Chicken

Set up an assembly line with separate bowls of dry and wet mixtures. The dry mixture should consist of well-seasoned flour, while the wet mixture is made by whisking together eggs and buttermilk.

One by one, coat the chicken strips first in the dry mixture, then the wet, and finally back in the dry mixture. Make sure to press the chicken firmly into the flour and leave any clumps as they will create tasty flakes. You can also double dredge the chicken for an extra crispy coating.

Let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the coating to set before frying.

Frying the Chicken

Preheat your deep fryer to between 170-190 degrees Celsius. Fry the chicken strips in small batches for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Drain the fried chicken on paper towels or a wire rack. Serve warm.

Making the coating

Next, prepare your wet mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg with a little water or milk. You can also add buttermilk to this mixture if you wish, as this will help to keep the chicken tender and moist.

Now you are ready to coat your chicken. First, dredge the chicken strips in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the strips into your wet mixture. Finally, dip the chicken back into the flour mixture for a second coating. Set the chicken aside to rest for a few minutes before frying; this will help the coating stick.

For an extra crispy coating, you can repeat the process so that each strip of chicken has been coated twice in the flour and egg mixtures.

Heating the oil

Firstly, choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil. Fill your deep fryer with enough oil to completely submerge the chicken strips, usually around 2-3 inches of oil. Turn on your deep fryer and set the temperature to 350-375°F (170-190°C). It is crucial to get the oil to the right temperature before adding the chicken to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and doesn't absorb too much oil.

While the oil is heating up, you can prepare your chicken strips by coating them in flour and any desired seasonings, and then dipping them in an egg mixture. This will give your chicken strips a delicious crispy coating.

Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, you can carefully place the chicken strips into the hot oil. Use a fryer basket or a slotted spoon to lower the chicken strips gently into the oil to avoid splashing.

Fry the chicken strips in batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer, which can result in uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your chicken strips, fry them for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown.

Finally, remove the chicken strips from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve the chicken strips while they are still warm for the best taste and texture. Enjoy your freshly deep-fried chicken strips!

Frying the chicken

You'll want to use a good cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil. Olive oil is not suitable for frying.

When frying, don't overcrowd the pan. Cook the tenders in batches, making sure the oil returns to temperature before adding more chicken. Each batch should take around 2-3 minutes per side, or until the meat is no longer pink.

Once cooked, drain the chicken tenders on paper towels or a wire rack.

Serving suggestions

These chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Dips and Sauces: Serve with your favourite dips and sauces on the side. Some popular options include barbecue, honey mustard, ranch, blue cheese, or sriracha mayo.
• Sides: Chicken strips go well with a variety of side dishes such as French fries, coleslaw, or a salad.
• Meal: You can also make it a complete meal by serving them with roasted vegetables or a side of macaroni and cheese.
• Sandwiches: Create a delicious chicken strip sandwich by placing the strips inside a bun or between two slices of bread, along with your choice of toppings, sauces, and vegetables.
• Platters: For a party or gathering, arrange the chicken strips on a platter along with various dips and sauces for guests to enjoy.
• Snacks: These chicken strips also make a great snack and can be served as-is or with a dip on the side.

Frequently asked questions