Burger King’s famous chicken fries inspired this homemade version, elevating the flavor. Homemade chicken fries feature thin, tender strips of chicken breast dipped in a flavorful seasoning mix and coated with panko breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, and cornflakes. This crispy breading locks in the juicy center while frying hot oil, making it an irresistible treat.
Pair this fun appetizer with dipping sauces like honey mustard, chili crisp ranch, or roasted garlic aioli for an irresistible twist. Perfect as finger food, a party snack, or a dinner that your family loves, this recipe stays fresh and delicious. Add a pinch of cayenne to make it spicier and enjoy a batch of crispy, crunchy, flavorful food everyone will expect to devour.
How to Make Ground Chicken at Home?
If Smart Chicken ground chicken isn’t available, you can quickly make your own with chicken breasts or tenderloins. Just add them to a food processor and pulse until no large pieces remain. This handy hack is perfect when your local grocer is out of stock, giving you a quick fix to keep your cooking plans on track.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Chicken Fries
Prepare the Chicken Fries
Start by lining a baking tray with parchment paper and setting it aside. Add ground chicken to a mixing bowl, then season it with onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Add olive oil and mix until the ingredients are combined.
Use wet hands to form the mixture into fries about ¼ inches to ½ inches thick and 4-5 inches long. Arrange 15-16 fries on the tray and place them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
Breading the Fries
Prepare three plates for breading: one with cornstarch, paprika, and black pepper, a second with whisked eggs, and a third with panko breadcrumbs. Once the fries are firm, dredge them through the cornstarch, dip into the eggs, and coat them in breadcrumbs, ensuring all sides are evenly breaded.
Frying the Chicken Fries
Heat neutral oil, like vegetable oil, in a pan to 325 degrees. Add 2-3 fries at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and fully cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the fries and place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Customizing the Flavor
You can easily adjust the spices and seasonings to match your taste. Add smoked paprika for a subtle, smoky flavor, or mix in Parmesan cheese to give the fries a cheesy twist.
For a spicier kick, try adding cayenne pepper or chili powder. Experiment with dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme for a more aromatic touch. These simple tweaks make your chicken fries uniquely delicious every time. Check out this chicken tenderloin for more inspiration on seasoning variations.
Delicious Pairings for Chicken Fries
Chicken fries are a great choice for a party appetizer, snack, or even a full meal. Both kids and adults find them irresistible. Serve them with a garlic aioli dipping sauce or popular options like ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or buffalo sauce, whichever is your favorite dipping sauce.
To round out the meal, add sides like French fries, onion rings, vinegar coleslaw, cucumber salad, roasted asparagus, or mom’s sweet pickles for a wonderful spread.
Tips for Crispy and Delicious Chicken Fries
- Frying: Use a shallow skillet and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown without overcooking, as the chicken cooks quickly.
- Batch Cooking: Fry in smaller batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet and ensure the oil temperature stays at 350˚F between batches.
- Cut Evenly: For consistent cooking times, cut the chicken fries into even strips.
- Marinate: Add flavor with a buttermilk marinade for tanginess or a spicy marinade for an additional kick.
- Coatings and Sauces: Try coatings like breadcrumbs, panko, cornflakes, or even crushed potato chips. Pair with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or garlic aioli for a tropical touch.
How to Store Chicken Fries
Keep any leftover chicken fries fresh by placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator or fridge for up to three to four days. When ready to eat, you can reheat them in a microwave, air fryer, or oven. For the crispiest results, the air fryer or oven is the best option.
FAQS
- What are chicken fries made of?
Chicken fries are made of chicken breast strips, coated with seasoned breading like panko breadcrumbs or cornflakes. - How to fry chicken in 3 steps?
Cut and coat the chicken in breading, heat to the right temperature, and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. - What is the trick to frying chicken?
The trick is to fry in small batches, maintain the oil at 350°F, and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking. - How to keep chicken fry crispy?
Reheat in an air fryer or oven instead of a microwave to maintain its crispy texture.
Homemade Chicken Fries
Equipment
- Baking tray (for freezing the fries)
- Parchment paper
- Mixing Bowl
- Three shallow plates (for breading)
- Food thermometer (for checking internal temperature)
- Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Chicken Can make your own by processing chicken breasts or tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder For seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder For seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt For seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil To help combine the mixture
- 3 plates Cornstarch Paprika, Black Pepper, For breading
- 2 eggs Whisked Eggs For dipping the fries before breading
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs For coating the fries
- 1 cup Cornflakes For coating the fries
- 1 cup Crushed Ritz Crackers For coating the fries
- 3 cups Vegetable Oil For frying the fries
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Fries: Line a baking tray with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Add olive oil and mix until well combined.
- Form the Fries: Use wet hands to form the chicken mixture into strips about ¼ to ½ inch thick and 4-5 inches long. Place 15-16 fries on the tray and freeze them for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
- Breading the Fries: Set up three plates for breading: one with cornstarch, paprika, and black pepper; one with whisked eggs; and one with panko breadcrumbs. Once the fries are firm, dredge them through the cornstarch, dip them into the eggs, and coat them in breadcrumbs, ensuring all sides are evenly breaded.
- Fry the Chicken Fries: Heat vegetable oil in a pan to 325°F. Add 2-3 fries at a time, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the fries and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the chicken fries hot with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, chili crisp ranch, or roasted garlic aioli.