Description
Enjoy Crispy Fried Chicken with a perfectly crunchy coating and juicy, tender meat inside. This adaptable recipe uses plant-based ingredients and natural seasoning for a mouthwatering, flavorful dish that is quick, easy, and kid-friendly. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, it combines a tangy marinade, a flavorful crust, and a frying technique that delivers restaurant-quality results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs), about 2-3 pounds
- 2 cups plant-based buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent (such as agar or carrageenan)
Frying
- Vegetable oil, about 1.5 inches deep for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine plant-based buttermilk, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and seasoning. Submerge the chicken pieces and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, mix all-purpose flour with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and the natural gelling agent. This blend creates the flavorful, crispy crust.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Thoroughly toss each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to form a thick and even coating.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or skillet to a depth of about 1.5 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Maintaining this temperature is essential to ensure golden, non-greasy chicken.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place coated chicken pieces in the hot oil in batches. Fry, turning occasionally, for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting time for piece size.
- Drain and Rest: Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil and retain crispness. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the crust and lock in moisture.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil at 350°F (175°C) for optimal crispness without burning.
- For extra crunch, double dredge by dipping chicken back into the marinade and flour coating before frying.
- Pat chicken dry slightly after marinating to help the flour adhere better.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature and prevent soggy chicken.
- Allow the chicken to rest after frying to lock in juices and keep the crust crispy.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: crispy fried chicken, plant-based buttermilk, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, crunchy chicken, easy fried chicken, gluten free fried chicken