How to Make Chinese Fried Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re searching for a new and exciting way to cook chicken, look no further! Chinese-style fried chicken is a crunchy and savory dish that is sure to please anyone’s taste buds. This recipe is an excellent option if you’re feeling bored with your usual chicken dishes and want to try something different, but still easy to make.

To start, the chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Then, it is coated in a batter made of cornstarch, flour, and spices before being fried to a crispy perfection. You could serve it as an appetizer or a main course with a simple side dish like steamed rice or noodles. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of making Chinese-style fried chicken step-by-step. So, let’s dive in and get cooking!

Section 1: Choosing the Right Chicken

1. Know Your Cuts

When making Chinese fried chicken, it’s important to pick the right cut of chicken. You can use a whole chicken that’s been cut up into pieces, but many people prefer to use boneless chicken thighs or drumsticks. These cuts of chicken are juicy and flavorful, perfect for frying. For a healthier option, you can also use skinless chicken breast, but keep in mind that it will be less juicy.

2. Buy Fresh Chicken

It’s crucial to use fresh chicken when making Chinese fried chicken. Make sure the chicken you buy is not expired and has been kept at the right temperature in the store. If possible, buy your chicken from a reputable butcher or grocery store that you trust.

3. Brine the Chicken

To ensure your chicken is moist and tender, consider brining it before frying. Mix water, salt, sugar, and your choice of herbs or spices in a large bowl or plastic bag. Place the chicken in the brine mixture and refrigerate it for at least an hour before frying. This will help the chicken stay juicy and flavorful during the frying process.

4. Pat the Chicken Dry

Before adding the chicken to the fryer, make sure it’s dry. Pat it with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the chicken brown evenly and prevent oil from splattering.

5. Choose the Right Oil

When frying, it’s important to choose the right oil. Vegetable oil is a popular choice because it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor. However, you can also use peanut oil, which has a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with the spices commonly used in Chinese fried chicken.

6. Heat Up Your Oil

When heating up your oil, make sure it’s hot enough to fry the chicken properly. A thermometer can be helpful here, as the temperature should be around 350-375°F. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy.

7. Use Cornstarch and Flour

The key to crispy Chinese fried chicken is using a mixture of cornstarch and flour for the coating. The cornstarch helps the chicken stay crispy and adds a light crunch, while the flour helps the coating adhere to the chicken.

8. Spice it Up

Chinese fried chicken is known for its flavorful spices. Popular spices include garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder. Mix the spices with the cornstarch and flour mixture for an extra kick of flavor.

9. Fry in Batches

When frying the chicken, be sure to do it in batches. Overcrowding the frying pan or deep fryer will cause the chicken to cook unevenly and prevent it from becoming crispy. Fry the chicken in batches until it’s golden brown and fully cooked.

10. Drain on Paper Towels

After frying, let the chicken rest on a stack of paper towels to drain off any excess oil. This will help the chicken stay crispy and prevent it from becoming soggy. Serve the chicken immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy your delicious homemade Chinese fried chicken!

Ingredients

Chinese fried chicken is a dish that requires the right ingredients to make it perfect. Here are the ingredients you will need to make Chinese fried chicken:

1. Chicken

The main ingredient in Chinese fried chicken is the chicken itself. Make sure you purchase fresh chicken with the skin on, as it will add to the crispiness of the dish. If you prefer boneless chicken, that will also work, but bone-in chicken is preferred.

2. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a staple in Chinese cooking and is essential to creating the perfect Chinese fried chicken. A good quality soy sauce will help to add depth of flavor to the dish.

3. Rice Wine

Rice wine, or Shaoxing wine, is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and is often used to enhance the flavor of dishes. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is perfect for marinating the chicken.

4. Ginger

Ginger is another key ingredient in Chinese cuisine and can be found in many savory dishes. It adds a warm, fragrant flavor to the chicken.

5. Garlic

Garlic is a versatile ingredient that adds flavor to many dishes. It pairs well with the other ingredients in Chinese fried chicken and adds a savory depth of flavor.

6. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a common ingredient in Chinese cooking and is often used to thicken sauces and soups. In Chinese fried chicken, it is used as a coating to help create a crispy texture.

7. Flour

Flour is another key ingredient in the coating for Chinese fried chicken. It helps to create a crispy crust and is essential for achieving the perfect texture.

8. Baking Powder

Baking powder is added to the coating mixture to help create a light, airy texture. It is also responsible for creating the crispy crunch on the outside of the chicken.

9. Salt

Salt is a key ingredient in any dish and helps to enhance the other flavors in the chicken.

10. Oil

Oil is required for deep-frying the chicken. Peanut oil or vegetable oil are popular choices for Chinese fried chicken and can be heated to a high temperature to ensure a crispy texture.

Ingredients for Chinese Fried Chicken

Making Chinese fried chicken requires a variety of ingredients that ensure the dish is tasty and flavorful. Here are the main ingredients you will need:

1. Chicken pieces

When it comes to Chinese fried chicken, you can use any part of the chicken you like, such as chicken breast, drumsticks or chicken wings. The key is to cut the chicken pieces into small chunks or slices to ensure they cook evenly and are easy to eat.

2. Chinese Five-spice powder

This is a blend of five spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine and includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. They give the fried chicken a unique and irresistible flavor.

3. Soy sauce and Rice vinegar

Soy sauce brings saltiness to the dish, while rice vinegar adds a slightly sweet and sour flavor. Using the right amount of soy sauce and rice vinegar guarantees a well-balanced and delicious fried chicken.

4. Cornstarch and Flour

To achieve a crispy fried chicken, a mixture of cornstarch and flour is used for coating the chicken pieces. Cornstarch adds a light texture, while flour gives it a crispy outer layer.

5. Garlic and Ginger

Garlic and ginger are aromatics that enhance the overall flavor of the dish. They are sliced or grated finely and mixed with the chicken pieces before frying them.

How to Prepare the Ingredients for Chinese Fried Chicken

Before proceeding with cooking the fried chicken, it’s essential to get all your ingredients ready. Start by cleaning and cutting the chicken pieces into small chunks or slices.

In a mixing bowl, add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and Chinese Five-spice powder. Whisk the ingredients until thoroughly combined, then add the chicken pieces and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

While waiting for the chicken to marinate, prepare the dry ingredients by mixing the cornstarch and flour in a separate bowl.

Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the marinade and discard the excess liquid. Add the chicken pieces into the bowl with the flour mixture and ensure each piece is well coated.

Now that your ingredients are ready let’s proceed to the next step, which is frying the chicken.

Thanks for Reading and Happy Cooking!

Now that you know how to make Chinese fried chicken, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Impress your friends and family with this delicious and easy-to-make dish. Don’t forget to share your culinary creations with us and visit again later for more exciting recipes. Happy cooking!