Easy Crispy Fried Chicken

by scoochmaroo

355K27030

Intro: Easy Crispy Fried Chicken

Seriously the best, easiest, crispiest fried chicken recipe I've ever encountered, this method of pan-frying chicken will not disappoint.  This is my go-to recipe for juicy fried chicken every time I want to impress a crowd, or even just my own belly.

STEP 1: Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, cut up (or your favorite chicken pieces)
  • 1 sleeve soda crackers - about 30 (saltines, water crackers, not sure what non-American equivalent is called, cream biscuits might work, but butter crackers are too buttery!)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons dry potato flakes (totally optional, but add a nice flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of your favorite seasoning (I like any mix that includes rosemary for this dish!) 
  • 1 egg
  •  1/4 cup peanut, grapeseed, or vegetable oil (I think peanut oil is my favorite for this so far, but the taste difference is really mild)

STEP 2: The Smashing

Smash up your crackers in a pie pan or plastic bag.  Mash em up good until they're like coarse breadcrumbs, or else the cracker bits will fall off the chicken while it's frying!

Mix the bread crumbs with the potato flakes and seasonings.

STEP 3: The Dredging

Now is a good time to start heating your oil for frying.  Use a large skillet and medium high heat.  Just don't forget that it's on - we don't want you burning down your kitchen!

Beat the egg in another pie dish or bowl.  Place the flour in a separate bowl.

Now, dredge each piece of chicken in the egg, the flour, and then in the crumbs, making sure each is well coated.

The best trick I can suggest for this is to use one hand for dipping in the egg mixture, and the other hand for dipping in the crumbs.  Otherwise, your hands will quickly resemble pieces of fried chicken themselves.

STEP 4: The Frying

Be patient with the frying.  It will take a long time, but the reward is worth the wait.  Get yourself a chair and a book, and remember the long sleeves, so you don't get splattered with hot oil.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook the coated chicken pieces for 15 to 20 minutes, turning often, until every side is golden brown and the juices run clear.


STEP 5: The Nom-ing


You can keep the chicken pieces hot in a warm oven if you need to fry them up in batches.  This day I did three chickens (since we were doing demos at Instructables HQ on how to cut them up), and we ate every piece!  My recommendation for doing a super large batch - use multiple fry pans.

Enjoy!

31 Comments

pjamestx 13 years ago

looks very tasty- only have one comment. If you need to keep your chicken warm in the oven for awhile, put a cooling rack on a cookie sheet and put your crisp chicken on it- will keep it all crispy longer.

gimpysgirl 8 years ago

Hi. Do you find that the flour get mixed in the oil when frying and starts to burn? So if you frying up a good many pieces, are you replacing the oil, washing the pan, or using multiple pans?

I'm thrilled to find you tutorial and anxious to try it. Only my mom can fry chicken that looks like this so I can't wait to hear back from you.

Thanks a lot.!

scoochmaroo 8 years ago

I haven't had too much trouble with that. Only small pieces seem to fall off, so there is some residue, but not so much that I have to swap oil in between batches. Good luck!

AbhiA3 8 years ago

Hi, your article is highly instructive. Sure would be helpful for me to review this article, This is the first time for i am trying to make crispy fried chicken using deep fryer, But it’s definitely the best way for make crispy fried chicken, Excellent article! http://www.mybestcookwarereviews.com/

war king 9 years ago

THIS IS FRIED CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

92033 13 years ago

Looks and sounds super-delicious. You must have either too much time on your hands or a camcorder inherently imbedded in your shoulder with all the great input you share so deliciously and kindly. Seems like there should be a CBS-TV 'Scoochmaroo" Show in the making. :-) Great stuff, as always.
~ ED

scoochmaroo 13 years ago

Ah! I think you're right. I definitely need a TV show. I wish I'd been nicknamed with something slightly more catchy than scoochmaroo. Although, to be fair, that is a derivation of the original nickname, Ms. Scoochie Maroo

bbgbp 11 years ago

Amazing! I've been calling my daughter Scoochie Maroo since she was born and I have no idea where I got it. Do you know the derivation of your nickname?

I hope the cooking talent comes with the name! :)

92033 13 years ago

Don't "be fair" :-)...You can always change your ID..or use an alternative one referring back to scoochybaby. .lol. You have a great God-given talent and needs to be shared to a larger...worldwide audience. I'm sure , if you send a query to your local cable TV station they have programming for folks that want to broadcast their talents. Also, your local PBS Station. They are ALWAYS looking for new shows to produce. Think about it seriously. "Whatever The Mind Can Conceive And Believe, The Mind Can Achieve". If you can THINK it...you can Do it. Good luck on all future endeavors. Take care.
~ ED

toot123456 11 years ago

This was the easiest receipe I've used to fry chicken. Right now I am frying two pans and it is smelling soooooooooo good. Looks crispy and the coating stayed on the chicken while frying.
Can't wait to taste it!

TheCritic 12 years ago

I feel a heart attack coming but it looks so worth it.
Thanks, I am definitely gonna make this.
Now this sounds great and I have been craving some really good old fashioned crispy fried Chicken.
Thanks. Gonna try this soon.


noltus 12 years ago

"1 sleeve soda crackers - about 30 (saltines, water crackers, not sure what non-American equivalent is called, cream biscuits might work, but butter crackers are too buttery!)"

Its called "TUC"

hammer39 12 years ago

When I make large batches I crisp them in the pan then bake them in the oven at 350 deg. until internal temp. is 170. I use bread crumbs for my chicken but I will try this next time.

thegreat58 13 years ago

I have complete faith in ya Scooch, I'll try it.

owenaero 13 years ago

was very good thank you only thing i did different was i used a deep fryer

ly333 13 years ago

This looks awesome. Im going to try this.
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SinAmos 13 years ago

I really want to try this. Thanks.
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