When it comes to fried chicken, most people think of the crispy and juicy texture that is hard to resist. But have you ever heard of freeze-fried chicken? It's a unique way of preparing chicken that involves a freeze-drying process that removes all the moisture from the meat, resulting in a crispy and crunchy texture that is unlike any other. In this article, we will show you how to make freeze-fried chicken at home that is both delicious and healthy.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 eggs
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Start by thawing the chicken breast if it's frozen. Once it's thawed, cut it into thin strips. 2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. 3. In another bowl, beat the eggs until they are well mixed. 4. In a third bowl, pour the Panko breadcrumbs. 5. Dip each chicken strip first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and finally into the Panko breadcrumbs, making sure it's well coated. 6. Place the coated chicken strips onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 7. Freeze the chicken strips for at least 2 hours, or until frozen solid. 8. Once the chicken strips are frozen, preheat your oven to 400°F. 9. Remove the chicken strips from the freezer and place them onto a wire rack over a baking sheet. 10. Bake the chicken strips for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. 11. Serve the freeze-fried chicken strips with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
This freeze-fried chicken recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. One serving (3 ounces) contains approximately:
Calories: 190
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Sodium: 480mg
Total Carbohydrates: 17g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 23g
Tips for Making the Perfect Freeze-Fried Chicken
- Use a wire rack over a baking sheet to bake the chicken strips. This allows for air to circulate around the chicken, resulting in a crispy texture. - Freeze the chicken strips for at least 2 hours before baking them. This ensures that the coating sticks well to the chicken and results in a crispy texture. - Use Panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and fluffier, resulting in a crispier texture. - If you don't have Panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes instead. - For a healthier option, use boneless, skinless chicken breast instead of chicken thighs. - Experiment with different spices and herbs to create your own unique flavor.
Conclusion
Freeze-fried chicken is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. With a little bit of preparation and some simple ingredients, you can make this unique and flavorful dish at home. Give it a try and see for yourself how delicious and crunchy freeze-fried chicken can be!