Olivia Carter
Do you love fried chicken but don’t want to deal with the mess of deep frying? Well, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you! In this article, we will guide you through the process of making delicious crispy chicken using just a skillet.
Step 1: Start by marinating the chicken. You can choose any cut of chicken you prefer, whether it’s drumsticks, thighs, or breast. In a bowl, mix together your favorite spices and herbs, such as paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of olive oil and mix well. Rub the marinade all over the chicken pieces and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: While the chicken is marinating, prepare a breading station. In one bowl, beat a couple of eggs. In another bowl, mix together flour, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. This will be your coating for the chicken.
Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom. Once the oil is hot, take each marinated chicken piece, dip it into the beaten eggs, and then coat it in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess and carefully place the chicken in the hot skillet.
Pro Tip: Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can result in uneven browning.
Step 4: Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip the chicken pieces halfway through cooking. Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Step 5: Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Now you have a fool-proof method for making crispy chicken using a skillet. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Preparing the Chicken
Before you start cooking, it’s important to properly prepare the chicken to ensure it turns out crispy and delicious.
1. Choose high-quality chicken: Select fresh, organic chicken pieces for the best flavor and texture. Look for pieces with smooth, moist skin and firm flesh.
2. Rinse the chicken: Give the chicken pieces a quick rinse under cold water to remove any excess juices or debris.
3. Pat dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken pieces dry. Removing excess moisture will help the breading stick better and promote crispiness.
4. Season the chicken: Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or dried herbs for extra flavor.
5. Let it sit: Allow the seasoned chicken to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This will help the flavors penetrate the meat and ensure even cooking.
6. Coat with flour: Place all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl or plate. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
7. Shake off excess flour: Give each chicken piece a gentle shake to remove any excess flour. Too much flour can lead to a heavy, greasy coating.
8. Rest the chicken: Let the breaded chicken rest for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. This will allow the breading to adhere properly and help create a crispy exterior.
9. Heat the skillet: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Adding the chicken to a hot skillet will help achieve a crispy crust without absorbing too much oil.
10. Add oil: Pour enough oil into the skillet to cover the bottom with a thin layer. Use a high smoke-point oil like vegetable or canola oil for frying.
Now that your chicken is prepared, it’s time to start cooking it to perfection.
Choosing the Right Chicken
When making crispy skillet chicken, choosing the right type of chicken is essential for achieving the desired texture and flavor. While you can use different cuts of chicken, such as boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, it’s important to consider a few factors:
Quality:
Opt for high-quality chicken from a trusted source. Look for packages labeled as organic or free-range, as they tend to have better texture and flavor compared to commercially raised chicken.
Cut:
Consider the cut of chicken you prefer. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and cook faster, making them a popular choice. However, bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs offer more flavor and tend to stay juicier during cooking.
Size:
Choose chicken pieces that are of similar size to ensure even cooking. This is especially important if you are using bone-in chicken, as different-sized pieces can result in unevenly cooked chicken.
Freshness:
Always ensure that the chicken is fresh and within its expiration date. Check for any unpleasant odors or discoloration, as these may indicate spoilage.
| Type of Chicken | Best For |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | Quick and healthier cooking |
| Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs | Rich flavor and juiciness |
| Chicken drumsticks or wings | Finger foods and appetizers |
Choosing the right chicken is the first step towards making delicious crispy skillet chicken. Keep these factors in mind when selecting your chicken, and you’ll be on your way to a tasty and satisfying meal.
Marinating the Chicken
Marinating the chicken is an important step to ensure that it is tender, flavorful, and crispy when cooked. This process involves soaking the chicken in a mixture of ingredients that will help to enhance its taste and texture. Here’s how you can marinate the chicken before skillet cooking:
Ingredients:
| 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts |
| 1 cup buttermilk |
| 2 teaspoons salt |
| 1 teaspoon ground black pepper |
| 1 teaspoon paprika |
| 1 teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1 teaspoon onion powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) |
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if desired). Mix well to create the marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly.
- Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken and make it more tender.
- Occasionally flip the chicken to ensure that all sides are marinated.
- When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off.
Now that your chicken is marinated, you are ready to proceed with the skillet cooking process. Marinating the chicken will not only add flavor but also help in creating a crispy crust when cooked. Take care not to over-marinate the chicken as it can make the meat mushy. Enjoy your delicious crispy chicken!
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you start making crispy chicken, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is what you will need:
| 4 chicken breasts |
| 1 cup all-purpose flour |
| 1 tablespoon paprika |
| 1 tablespoon garlic powder |
| 1 teaspoon salt |
| 1 teaspoon black pepper |
| 2 eggs |
| Vegetable oil for frying |
Make sure you have all the ingredients measured and ready before you begin cooking. This will help you stay organized and ensure you have everything you need for the recipe.
Mixing the Marinade
To make crispy chicken, the first step is to prepare a flavorful marinade. The marinade will not only infuse the chicken with delicious flavors but will also help to tenderize the meat. Follow the steps below to create the perfect marinade:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes (if desired), and salt.
Step 2: Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. Make sure the honey is completely dissolved and mixed evenly throughout the marinade.
Step 3: Taste the marinade and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a spicier marinade, add more red pepper flakes. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. Feel free to customize the marinade to suit your taste preferences.
Note: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to double-check the ingredients and make any necessary substitutions.
Once the marinade is prepared, you can move on to preparing the chicken for marinating. Refer to the next section for more details.
Coating the Chicken
Before cooking the chicken, you’ll need to coat it in a delicious and crispy breading. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by preparing your breading station. In one bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 1 tablespoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup of milk.
- Take each piece of chicken and coat it first in the flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess. Then dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Return the chicken to the flour mixture and coat it again, pressing the flour mixture onto the chicken to ensure a nice, thick coating.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate or a wire rack, and allow them to sit for about 10 minutes. This will help the breading adhere to the chicken.
Once your chicken is properly coated, it’s ready to be cooked to crispy perfection in your skillet. Now you’re one step closer to enjoying a delicious homemade crispy chicken meal!
Preparing the Dredging Station
Before you start cooking crispy chicken in a skillet, it’s important to set up a proper dredging station. The dredging station consists of a series of bowls or plates that hold the ingredients needed to create the crispy coating on the chicken.
Gather Your Ingredients
First, gather all the ingredients you will need for the dredging station. This typically includes:
- Flour
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs or panko
- Seasonings (such as salt, pepper, paprika, or garlic powder)
Having all these ingredients ready and within easy reach will make the dredging process smoother and more efficient.
Set Up the Station
Now, it’s time to set up the dredging station. Here’s how you can do it:
- Take three shallow bowls or plates and place them side by side on your countertop.
- In the first bowl, pour the flour.
- In the second bowl, crack the eggs and beat them until they are well mixed.
- In the third bowl, add the breadcrumbs or panko along with your chosen seasonings. Mix them together to evenly distribute the seasonings.
By arranging the bowls in this order, you create an assembly line for coating the chicken. The flour will act as the initial coating, the beaten eggs will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken, and the breadcrumb mixture will create the crispy outer layer.
Note: You can also add additional bowls to the station if you prefer to do a double-dredge method, where the chicken is dipped in flour and eggs twice for an extra crispy coating.
Now that your dredging station is ready, you can move on to the next steps of cooking crispy chicken in a skillet!
Dipping the Chicken
Once the chicken has been seasoned, it’s time to dip it into the coating mixture. This step is crucial for achieving the crispy texture that is characteristic of this dish.
To prepare the coating mixture, combine flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and any other desired spices in a shallow dish. Mix well to ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Take one piece of seasoned chicken at a time and dip it into the coating mixture, making sure to evenly coat it on all sides. Press the chicken firmly into the mixture to ensure that it adheres well.
Once the chicken is fully coated, gently shake off any excess coating. This will prevent the chicken from becoming too thick and overly breaded.
Place the coated chicken onto a separate plate or baking sheet, making sure to leave space between each piece. This will allow the chicken to cook evenly and ensure that the coating remains crispy.
Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pieces of chicken, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated.
Once all the chicken has been coated, it’s time to move onto the next step: cooking the chicken in a skillet.
Cooking the Chicken
1. Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
2. While the pan is heating up, prepare the chicken by seasoning it with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
3. Place the chicken pieces in the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. To ensure even cooking, you can cover the skillet with a lid or tent it with aluminum foil during the cooking process.
5. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute and make the chicken more flavorful and tender.
6. Serve the crispy chicken hot with your favorite side dishes or sauces.
| Ingredients: | – Chicken pieces | – Salt | – Pepper | – Spices | – Cooking oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment: | – Skillet or frying pan | – Lid or aluminum foil (optional) |
FAQ
What is crispy chicken?
Crispy chicken is a dish made by deep-frying chicken until it becomes golden brown and has a crispy texture.
Can I make crispy chicken without a deep-fryer?
Yes, you can make crispy chicken without a deep-fryer by using a skillet. Skillet-frying provides a similar crispy texture to deep-frying.
What type of skillet is best for making crispy chicken?
A cast iron skillet is the best type of skillet for making crispy chicken. It has excellent heat retention and distribution, which helps in achieving a crispy and evenly cooked chicken.
What ingredients do I need to make crispy chicken when skilleting?
To make crispy chicken when skilleting, you will need chicken pieces, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, eggs, and oil for frying.
How long does it take to make crispy chicken when skilleting?
The cooking time for crispy chicken when skilleting depends on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Generally, it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook the chicken until it is golden brown and crispy.
