BBQ FRIED CHICKEN

Introduction:
BBQ Fried Chicken is a tantalizing combination of two beloved culinary traditions: crispy fried chicken and smoky, tangy BBQ sauce. This dish offers a crispy, golden crust on the outside, with juicy, tender chicken on the inside, all smothered in a rich, flavorful BBQ glaze. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, a weekend barbecue, or simply craving something indulgent, BBQ Fried Chicken provides the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors. It’s the ideal comfort food that brings a southern-style twist to a classic fried chicken recipe, and it’s sure to satisfy anyone with a love for bold, flavorful dishes.

The History of BBQ Fried Chicken:
Fried chicken has long been a staple in Southern cuisine, with roots deeply embedded in African, Scottish, and Native American cooking traditions. It was traditionally deep-fried in lard or oil to achieve that crispy, golden texture that has become synonymous with comfort food. Barbecue, on the other hand, is a cooking method that dates back to Indigenous people in the Americas, where meats were slow-cooked over an open flame, often infused with smoke from wood. Combining BBQ sauce with fried chicken is a relatively modern twist that brings together these two beloved methods of cooking, resulting in a mouthwatering fusion of flavors. The trend gained popularity in the 20th century and continues to be a favorite, especially with the advent of various BBQ styles from different regions.

Ingredients Breakdown:
To make BBQ Fried Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts, depending on your preference)
• Buttermilk (for marinating and tenderizing the chicken)
• All-purpose flour (for breading)
• Cornstarch (to create a crispier coating)
• Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper (for seasoning)
• Eggs (for binding the breading)
• BBQ sauce (your favorite variety, either homemade or store-bought)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Optional: hot sauce or cayenne pepper (for added heat in the batter or BBQ sauce)

This combination of ingredients ensures a crispy and flavorful fried chicken, with a smoky-sweet glaze that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Step-by-Step Recipe:

1. Marinate the Chicken: Begin by placing the chicken pieces in a bowl and covering them with buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and any additional spices or hot sauce you like. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
2. Prepare the Breading Station: Set up a dredging station by placing the flour, cornstarch, and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper) in a shallow dish. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
3. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess liquid drip off. Dip each piece into the egg mixture, then coat it thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks.
4. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to fully submerge the chicken for even frying.
5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully lower the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil, cooking in batches if necessary. Fry for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Prepare the BBQ Glaze: While the chicken is frying, warm your BBQ sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. If you want a spicy kick, add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce.
7. Coat the Chicken in BBQ Sauce: Once the chicken is fried to perfection, remove it from the oil and drain on paper towels. Drizzle the warm BBQ sauce over the fried chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your BBQ Fried Chicken hot, garnished with extra BBQ sauce or a side of coleslaw, fries, or cornbread for a complete meal.

Tips for the Perfect BBQ Fried Chicken:

• Marinate for Flavor: Don’t rush the marinating process. The longer the chicken sits in the buttermilk, the more tender and flavorful it will be.
• Maintain the Right Oil Temperature: Too hot, and the chicken will burn on the outside while staying raw on the inside; too cool, and the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy. Aim for a consistent 350°F.
• Double-Coating for Extra Crispiness: For a thicker, crunchier crust, you can double-dip the chicken. After dipping it in the egg and flour mixture, dip it again in the egg and flour for a second layer of coating.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, always use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
• Customizing the BBQ Sauce: Feel free to experiment with different types of BBQ sauces—sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy—based on your preference. You can even mix your BBQ sauce with a bit of honey for a sweet glaze or add extra heat with hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

Variations and Customizations:

• Spicy BBQ Fried Chicken: Add more hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade or mix some into the BBQ sauce to kick up the heat. You can also add cayenne pepper to the breading for an extra layer of spice.
• Boneless Chicken: For a quicker cooking time, use boneless chicken breasts or thighs. These can be fried faster and are easier to coat with the BBQ sauce.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour, and ensure the breadcrumbs are also gluten-free for a gluten-free BBQ fried chicken version.
• Oven-Baked Version: If you prefer to avoid frying, you can bake the breaded chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it’s golden and crispy, then coat with BBQ sauce.
• Add a Smoky Flavor: If you like a smokier taste, you can add a small amount of smoked paprika to the breading or mix a bit of liquid smoke into your BBQ sauce.
• Different Cuts of Chicken: You can use chicken wings, drumsticks, or thighs instead of breasts, depending on your preference. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Health Considerations and Nutritional Value:
BBQ Fried Chicken, while delicious, is not the lightest option in terms of calories and fat. The frying process adds a significant amount of fat, although using healthier oils like avocado oil can help reduce the overall unhealthy fats. Chicken is an excellent source of protein, essential for muscle building and repair, but it’s important to enjoy this dish in moderation if you’re mindful of your calorie intake. To make this dish a bit lighter, consider baking the chicken or using less oil for frying. Pairing BBQ Fried Chicken with healthy sides, such as a fresh salad, steamed vegetables, or quinoa, can help balance out the meal and add some nutritional value. Additionally, you can control the sugar content in the BBQ sauce by choosing a low-sugar or homemade sauce recipe.

FAQ:

1. Can I use skinless chicken breasts for BBQ Fried Chicken?
   Yes, you can use skinless chicken breasts, but you might want to adjust the frying time, as skinless chicken can cook more quickly than bone-in pieces.
2. Can I prepare BBQ Fried Chicken in advance?
   Yes, you can fry the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat it in the oven to restore its crispiness and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
3. Can I make the BBQ sauce from scratch?
   Absolutely! Homemade BBQ sauce allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking. A basic BBQ sauce can be made with ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and your choice of spices.
4. How can I make the chicken less greasy?
   To reduce the grease, ensure that the oil temperature remains consistent while frying and drain the fried chicken on paper towels immediately after cooking.
5. Is this recipe suitable for a keto or low-carb diet?
   BBQ Fried Chicken may not be suitable for strict keto or low-carb diets due to the breading, but you can modify it by using almond flour or coconut flour for the coating.

BBQ FRIED CHICKEN

BBQ Fried Chicken is a delicious fusion of crispy fried chicken and smoky, tangy BBQ sauce, offering a satisfying balance of flavors. Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make and customizable to suit your taste preferences.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup salt
• 5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dry mesquite-flavored seasoning mix
• 4 cups oil for frying or as needed
• 3 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 12-ounce bottle barbecue sauce

Instructions

 

• Set up a batter station: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, water, milk, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of black pepper using a fork until smooth. In another large bowl, combine the flour, ¼ cup salt, 5 teaspoons of pepper, minced garlic, and mesquite seasoning.
• Fill a large, heavy skillet or wok halfway with oil and heat it to 365°F (180°C).
• Coat the chicken: Use a fork to pick up one chicken strip at a time and dip it into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, back into the egg mixture, and again into the flour mixture.
• Carefully place the coated chicken strips into the hot oil to fry, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Once the chicken is browned on one side, flip it over to brown the other side.
• While frying, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and butter a 12×20-inch glass baking dish, or two 9×13-inch baking dishes.
• Pour enough barbecue sauce into the prepared dish to coat the bottom, then arrange the fried chicken strips in rows. Pour the remaining barbecue sauce over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce has caramelized onto the chicken, about 10 to 15 minutes.