Breaded chicken still gets people excited. It’s a dish that can easily take you back to the school canteen where you share joyous moments with friends. And, that social element is still alive as we continue to enjoy a good feast with a bargain bucket from KFC.
Breaded chicken is a middle-ground for fast food and home cooked meals. It can be fried quickly or roasted slowly for a healthier alternative. Either way, it produces a crispy texture that we cannot resist and boy is it delicious.
For the conscious diners out there, you can have your fix guilt free with our healthy organic chicken pieces. Try our recipe below and you will be blown away by its heavenly crunch, maxed out flavour, and tenderness.
But first, let’s take a look at the long path Colonel Sanders took to bring us this wonderful delight.
The KFC backstory
No conversation can take place about breaded chicken without paying homage and tribute to Colonel Harland Sanders. He is the originator of the famous recipe we all know and love and made it famous through his worldwide brand, KFC.
KFC is the second largest retail restaurant in the world measured by sales volume, while McDonalds leads with first place. Despite its global success, KFC came from very humble beginnings. If it weren’t for the unwavering persistence of Colonel Sanders, we could easily have missed out on this culinary treat.
Colonel Sanders first started selling his fried chicken to travellers and truckers from a service station in 1930. He started at the ripe age of 65, shortly after he received his first pension payment.
Believing in his craft and product, Colonel Sanders began travelling to restaurants seeking customers to buy his recipe, products and to find a business partner to fund the expansion of his business, but more than this, he wanted to share his favourite recipe with the world.
Despite our common love for breaded chicken, Colonel Sanders was turned down 1,009 times before his recipe was accepted even once, but that didn’t stop him.
Colonel Sanders continued on his mission to find customers and a business partner and eventually, he opened his first KFC restaurant in Salt Lake city 1952. With the funding he received from investors, the Colonel managed to open 600 restaurants by 1964 with the first UK branch in Lancashire. It’s safe to say that we have his unwavering passion and relentless campaigning to thank for his 11 herb recipe that we all enjoy today.
The perfect crunch
One of the defining characteristics of breaded chicken is its unique texture. The combination of a crispy, golden-brown coating and tender, juicy meat creates a delightful contrast that is hard to resist.
Achieving the perfect crunch involves understanding the science of cooking. The breading, typically made from flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, forms a barrier that locks in moisture while frying. The high heat of frying causes the breading to become crispy, while the meat remains succulent.
The breading process can be customised to create different textures and flavours. Panko breadcrumbs, for example, produce an extra-crispy coating, while adding spices or herbs to the breading mixture can enhance the overall taste and provide variety. There are literally thousands of combinations to be experimented with, so let loose and get creative.
Healthier Options
No one can deny or resist the temptation of breaded fried chicken, but let’s be honest, it’s not entirely guilt free if you are enjoying the fried variety, but fear not, healthier options are available, so you can still get your fix without having to worry about your waistline
For those looking to enjoy breaded chicken without the guilt, oven-baked variations offer a healthier alternative. Baking achieves a similar crispy texture without the added oil, making it a more health-conscious choice.
Air fryers have revolutionised home cooking, allowing foodies to enjoy the crispy goodness of fried chicken with significantly less oil. This method is perfect for families who want to indulge in their favourite dish without compromising on health.
For organic and halal diners, sourcing high-quality, ethically-raised chicken is essential. Halal Origins offers the finest organic and halal-certified chicken options, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this beloved dish without compromising their dietary requirements and values.
This is especially important because KFC and many other restaurants do not cater for the Islamic community, so we have to step in to fill that void.
A world tour of breaded chicken dishes
Although America made breaded chickenchicken famous, it is not a dish exclusive to its nation. Countries all over the world have their unique twist to this dish.
Japanese Karaage
In Japan, karaage is a popular dish featuring bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then lightly coated in potato starch and fried. The result is a crispy, flavourful delight often served with a wedge of lemon.
Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken is known for its double-frying technique, which produces an exceptionally crispy coating. Often tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, it's a favourite bar food in South Korea.
Italian Chicken Milanese
In Italy, pollo alla milanese is a breaded and pan-fried chicken cutlet typically served with a squeeze of lemon. This dish showcases the versatility of breaded chicken, as it can be enjoyed as a standalone meal or incorporated into sandwiches and salads.
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Must read: Piri-Piri Chicken, A Cultural Fusion
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Home recipe
So, if by now you’re craving a piece of crispy, juicy breaded chicken, you can put your apron on and whip up this delicious dish at home with our finest organic chicken pieces.
This recipe offers three cooking methods: frying, oven-baking, and air-frying, so you can choose the one that best suits your preference.
Ingredients
Instructions:
Prep the Chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts (or thighs) by carefully slicing them horizontally, stopping about halfway through so you can open them like a book. Evenly pound the chicken to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Set Up the Breading Stations: Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together the flour, paprika, and garlic powder. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, place the panko breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes).
Breading the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken generously in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Frying:
- Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat (around 350°F).
- Carefully add the breaded organic chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels before serving.
- Bring the broth back to a simmer. Add the sliced beef and cook until just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook!
Oven Baking:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Place the breaded chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for even browning.
Air-Frying:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) according to your specific model's instructions..
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer in the basket, making sure pieces aren't touching.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through cooking.
Tips:
- Marinating the chicken before breading can infuse it with additional flavours. Try a buttermilk marinade for extra tenderness or a spicy blend for a kick of heat.
- You can adjust the spices in the flour mixture to your liking. Try adding cayenne pepper for a kick, or Italian seasoning for a different flavour profile.
- For extra crispy oven-baked chicken, spray the breaded organic chicken lightly with cooking spray before baking.
- Leftover breaded chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
- Enjoy your homemade breaded chicken!
Final Thoughts
Breaded chicken is here to stay and it’s only getting better. With new flavours springing onto our plates (try piri-piri) and healthier and more sophisticated cooking methods, this dish will never cease to amaze.
As always, the quality of your meal is down to the quality of your ingredients and of course, how well you cook it. We can definitely take care of the first part, so check out our variety of organic chicken options for the highest quality meat in town.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and share your recipe ideas with us. We would love to hear how you create the next winning flavour that will take the world by storm.
Until next time, happy dining.