COCONUT FRIED CHICKEN

Coconut Fried Chicken image

Provided by Claire Thomas : Food Network

Time 5h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Three 15-ounce cans full-fat coconut milk
1/2 cup lime juice plus lime wedges, for garnish
1 medium onion, sliced
1 habanero or scotch bonnet chile, chopped
2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken legs and thighs
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely shredded coconut
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Steps:

In a large bowl, mix together the coconut milk, lime juice, onion and chile. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight to let the coconut milk mixture tenderize the chicken.
About an hour before frying, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit out at room temperature to take the chill off.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, add enough oil to come about halfway up the sides and heat to 365 degrees F.
In large bowl, combine the flour, coconut, salt, garlic powder, thyme, five-spice powder, cayenne, allspice and nutmeg and stir until well combined.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and lightly shake off the excess. Coat the chicken with the seasoned flour, shake off the excess, then set it on a baking sheet.
Add a few pieces of chicken to the pot, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry, in batches if necessary, until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside on a wire-racked lined baking sheet.
Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter with the cilantro and lime wedges.