Agave Fried Chicken Recipes

FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the buttermilk, 1/4 cup Essence, salt, sugar, and garlic in a large nonreactive bowl. Stir to blend. Immerse the chicken in the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and for up to 24 hours.
• Combine the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup Essence, and the cayenne in a large doubled brown paper bag or plastic freezer bag and shake to blend. Drop the chicken, a few pieces at a time, into the flour mixture and shake thoroughly to completely coat. Remove the chicken and shake off the excess flour. Repeat the coating process with the remaining chicken pieces. Place the coated chicken on a large wire rack set over a sheet pan and let rest until ready to fry, at least 20 minutes.
• Heat 4 inches of oil to 300 degrees F over medium-high heat in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot. Fry the chicken in batches, skin side down, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn and fry until golden brown on the second side, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels. (Note: An even oil temperature is the key to success; a clip-on candy/deep-fry thermometer should be kept in the pot at all times. And the temperature should remain between 280 degrees F and 300 degrees F at all times.) Allow the chicken to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
• Published by William Morrow, 1993.

CHICKEN IN AGAVE TOMATOES

Steps:

• Flatten chicken breasts slightly by pounding them between 2 pieces of waxed paper. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook chicken breasts about 3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove and keep warm. In same skillet, cook onion and garlic until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, wine, agave, thyme and tarragon. Simmer sauce about 15 minutes or until thick. Return chicken to sauce add olives. Cover and cook another 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. To serve, divide chicken and sauce evenly between serving plates. Sprinkle with parsley.

KARAAGE (JAPANESE FRIED CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Mix garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sake, mirin, sesame oil, black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Place chicken in the marinade and mix until thoroughly and evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 10 hours.
• Set up your dredging station: Place a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Add potato starch to a wide, shallow bowl.
• Remove chicken from the refrigerator. Stir to coat with marinade. Toss 2 or 3 pieces at a time in the potato starch until evenly coated. Shake off any excess starch and place chicken on the wire rack. Repeat to dredge remaining pieces.
• Tap the rack on the baking sheet to remove any loose chunks of starch, then transfer the baking sheet and rack of chicken to the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Without crowding, lower chicken carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry, tossing occasionally, until cooked through and the outside is crunchy and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken.

AGAVE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat chicken with agave set aside. Combine buttermilk baking mix, mustard, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow dish dredge chicken in mixture. Heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Carefully place chicken in hot oil and cook about 5 minutes or until underside of chicken is golden turn chicken pieces and cook about 5 minutes, turning as needed. Reduce heat to low and cook 15 to 20 minutes more or until juices run clear. Remove chicken drain on paper towels.TIP: Chicken can be browned in hot oil, placed on baking sheet and baked at 350°F for 25 to 35 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.