Best Crispy Fried Chicken Skin Recipes

MY ULTIMATE SUPER CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all the brine ingredients.
• If you are using chicken legs, separate the drums from the thighs so that it becomes 8 pieces of chicken.
• Add the chicken to the brine and let it sit for a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge Bring it out of the fridge 1 hour before you are ready to deep fry so that the chicken can come to room temperature. This will help the chicken cook all the way through and it prevents the oil from dropping to a very low temperature when you deep fry it.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients of the "Dry Mix" from the ingredient list. Reserve 1/2 cup of it aside to make the "Wet Mix" and set the rest aside for later.
• (Optional) If you want a more textured crispy batter, add 2-3 tablespoons of the brine or water into the 'dry mix' and work it into the mix with your fingers until you get a slightly clumpier and moist dry mix.
• Add the reserved 1/2 cup of dry mix into another bowl and add in the white vinegar and ice water and mix well until everything is combined. Set this aside
• When you are ready to batter the chicken, remove it from the brine and dry it out VERY WELL with paper towel
• One at a time put the chicken into the dry mix and coat it with a light dusting. Shake very well. You want a very light coating for the initial flouring only.
• Use a fork to re-mix the wet batter (it may have settled and separated)
• Dunk one piece of chicken quickly into the wet batter
• Quickly add the wet chicken piece back into the "Dry Mix" and completely cover the chicken in the mix.
• Use your hand and press the dry mix into the chicken. I like to give it a solid squeeze.
• Remove the chicken from the dry mix and vigorously shake off the flour to create the nooks and crannies.
• Remove the chicken from the dry mix and set it in a single layer on a plate.
• Do this for every piece of chicken.
• Fill a cast iron pan or deep fryer with oil and set the temperature to 350F (177C)
• Once the oil is hot (you can do a test if it's hot enough by sticking a wooden chopstick or wooden spoon into it to see if it bubbles) add in the chicken slowly. Do not overcrowd the pan, you don't want the oil temperature to drop. You may need to cook this in a few batches. I like to put about 2 pieces in per dutch oven.
• Cook the chicken for 18-20 minutes. (If you are using boneless chicken, cook it for 6-10 minutes instead)
• Once all the chicken has been fried, put it back in the oil and fry it for a second time for 1 minute. This will make the chicken extra crispy.
• Let it rest on a rack, newspaper or parchment paper for a few minutes before digging in. Enjoy!

CRISPY NASHVILLE CHICKEN SKINS

Steps:

• For the skins: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat paper with oil.
• Trim chicken skins to palm-size pieces. This will provide a chip-like finished product, great for dipping.
• Spread chicken skins in a single layer on baking sheet and flatten. Lightly coat the skins with additional oil. Bake until fat is rendered out, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to rest and cool.
• For the Nashville seasoning: Meanwhile, combine cayenne, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, black pepper, ground mustard, lemon pepper, coriander, cumin and Reaper powder in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
• Pour oil into a large pot to measure at least 2 inches deep and bring up to 350 degrees F.
• Place a handful of skins in the oil and fry until warmed through and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pot using a metal strainer and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning over the skins and toss to coat evenly. Make sure the oil returns to 350 degrees before starting a new batch.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN SKIN

Steps:

• Place chicken skins in a large stockpot. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, scrape off excess fat and cut skin into 1/2-inch wide strips.
• Place skin on a baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 8 hours.
• Heat oil in a large stockpot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lower a handful of skins carefully into the hot oil. Fry until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining chicken skin.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

CRISPY CHICKEN SKINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Gently pull the skin off the chicken breasts (reserve the breast meat for another use), pat dry and cut in thirds lengthwise. Place them skin-side up in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Mix the salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary together in a small bowl, crushing the spices with a spoon. Sprinkle the chicken skins with some of the spice mix; it makes more than you need, but you can keep it for another day. Cover the skins with a layer of parchment and top with a baking sheet to weigh it down, making sure the top sheet presses down on the skins.
• Bake until the skins are browned and crisp, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the top baking sheet and parchment and transfer the skins to a plate lined with paper towel to cool and crisp up.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine 2-2/3 cups flour, garlic salt, paprika, 2-1/2 teaspoons pepper and teaspoons poultry seasoning. In another shallow dish, beat eggs and 1-1/2 cups water; add 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1-1/3 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in flour mixture, a few pieces at a time. Turn to coat., In a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Working in batches, fry chicken, several pieces at a time, until skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165°, about 7-8 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.