Eastern Inspired Fried Chicken Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
• Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
• While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

EASTERN-INSPIRED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Spoon yogurt into a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and make sure it's coated in yogurt. Squeeze bag to remove excess air and seal. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove chicken from yogurt and discard yogurt. Rinse yogurt from chicken pieces and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Beat milk and eggs together until smooth. Mix flour, salt, pepper, curry powder, and paprika together in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Dip each chicken piece into the milk mixture and immediately press into the flour mixture to coat completely; keep coated chicken on a plate while preparing the remaining pieces.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Gently lie chicken pieces into the hot oil, cooking in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding, and cook until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SOUTHERN-STYLE OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; coat the rack with cooking spray., In a shallow bowl, mix the first seven ingredients. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk eggs. Dip chicken in eggs, then in cracker mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Place on prepared rack., Bake 20 minutes. Turn chicken; bake until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 15-25 minutes longer.

CHINESE STYLE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut chicken into inch pieces.
• Whisk together egg whites and soy sauce.
• Soak chicken in soy mixture for 20 minutes covered in the fridge.
• Add 2 cups oil to wok or deep fryer.
• Heat wok to 350°F.
• Put cornstarch and flour into a reseal able plastic freezer bag.
• Add chicken to bag a little at a time, shake until evenly coated. Add more of the 50/50 flour mixture as needed to finish the job.
• Add chicken to wok.
• Fry 15 seconds only. No browning yet!
• Remove chicken and place aside on a cookie sheet or bowl lined with paper towels.
• After all of the chicken has cooked for 15 seconds let cool for a few minutes.
• Fry it an additional 15-20 seconds or until golden.
• Always check meat. If it is pink it needs to be cooked longer.
• Top with your favorite lemon or orange sauce.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large pot and cover with water.
• Add onion, garlic, coriander, tumeric, salt and pepper and stir.
• Allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes.
• This process allows the chicken to absorb the spices.
• In a frying pan or deep fryer, bring vegetable oil to 350ºF degrees.
• Strain chicken from water and roll in flour.
• When oil is hot, fry chicken pieces until golden brown and done.
• Legs and thighs generally take about 15-20 minutes.
• Breasts take 7-10 minutes for strips.
• Cutlets, larger, thicker breast may take up to 15 minutes.
• Serve with a salad, rice, and olives.

MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE CHICKEN, VEGGIES AND RICE

Steps:

• Prepare the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a wok or large deep skillet over high heat. Add the green beans and onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add the peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir-fry until the green beans and peppers are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the shredded chicken, rice, spice blend and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer until no excess liquid remains, about 1 minute. Season with salt.
• Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with the parsley and pine nuts and serve.

EASTERN-INSPIRED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Spoon yogurt into a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and make sure it's coated in yogurt. Squeeze bag to remove excess air and seal. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove chicken from yogurt and discard yogurt. Rinse yogurt from chicken pieces and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Beat milk and eggs together until smooth. Mix flour, salt, pepper, curry powder, and paprika together in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Dip each chicken piece into the milk mixture and immediately press into the flour mixture to coat completely; keep coated chicken on a plate while preparing the remaining pieces.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Gently lie chicken pieces into the hot oil, cooking in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding, and cook until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).