Fried chicken is a beloved comfort food enjoyed around the world. The crunchy golden exterior covering tender juicy meat is hard to resist. Traditionally, fried chicken is coated in a breading or batter before frying. But is it possible to skip the coating and still achieve delicious fried chicken? Absolutely! With a few simple tricks, you can make amazing fried chicken without breading.
Why Fry Chicken Without Breading?
Going coating-free with your fried chicken offers some advantages:
-
Enhanced flavor – A crispy, well-seasoned skin allows the natural taste of the chicken to shine through. No heavy breading competing for attention.
-
Lower carb – Ditching the breading cuts down on carbs. A smart move for low-carb and keto diets.
-
Easier prep – No need to dredge in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs Just season and fry for quick weeknight dinners
-
Versatility – Breading-free chicken works in a wider variety of cuisines, from American to Asian.
-
Cleaner eat – For those avoiding gluten or heavily processed foods, naked fried chicken can be a better option.
Choosing the Right Chicken Parts
For the best results, opt for chicken parts with more fat and collagen. Thighs and drumsticks are ideal picks. The extra fat helps keep the meat moist and lends richer flavor.
Chicken breasts can be used but require extra care to prevent drying out. Consider pounding them to an even thickness or butterflying before frying.
For bone-in parts, aim for 10-15 minutes of frying per side. Boneless pieces will take a little less time. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
Must-Have Ingredients
Frying chicken without a coating requires just a few key ingredients:
-
Chicken – Bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks, or wings work best. Or use boneless breasts pounded to an even thickness.
-
Oil – Opt for oils with high smoke points like peanut, vegetable, or canola oil. Avoid olive oil.
-
Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and other spices of choice.
-
Equipment – A heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel and a deep fry thermometer.
That’s it! A short, simple ingredient list is all you need.
Pre-Frying Prep Work
Taking a couple steps before frying will ensure crispy, flavorful results:
Brining
Soaking the chicken in a saltwater brine plumps up the meat and helps it retain moisture during cooking. Make a quick brine with 1 quart water, 1/4 cup salt, and 1/4 cup sugar. Submerge the chicken for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
Drying
After brining, pat the chicken very dry with paper towels. Place it uncovered on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This drying time allows the skin to further dehydrate so it fries up extra crispy.
Seasoning
Just before frying, generously season all sides of the chicken. A simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika does the trick. Spice it up with cayenne, oregano, or other favorite spices.
Choose Your Frying Method
You can pan-fry or deep-fry your chicken coating-free. Here’s how:
Pan-Frying
-
Heat 1/2 inch oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F.
-
Working in batches, add chicken pieces skin-side down. Fry for 8-12 minutes per side until deeply golden.
-
Monitor oil temp and adjust heat to maintain 350°F.
Deep-Frying
-
In a deep pot, heat 2-3 inches oil to 350°F.
-
Gently add chicken pieces and deep fry for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
-
Use a thermometer to carefully maintain the 350°F temp.
Either method works well. With pan-frying, you’ll need to focus on turning the chicken for even browning. Deep-frying requires more oil but cooks the chicken more evenly.
Serving Suggestions
Breading-free fried chicken pairs perfectly with:
-
Classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, biscuits, coleslaw, or mac and cheese.
-
Fresh, crisp salads or roasted veggies to balance the richness.
-
Fun dipping sauces – try barbecue sauce, ranch, honey mustard or chipotle mayo.
Get creative with your sides based on favorites and what’s in season!
Helpful Tips for Success
-
Without the coating, temperature control is crucial. Use a thermometer and keep oil between 325-375°F.
-
Resist overcrowding the pan, which can lower oil temp and make chicken greasy. Work in batches.
-
Let cooked chicken drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate before serving.
-
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350° oven to maintain crispiness.
The Takeaway
Skip the breading, grab a few pantry staples, and enjoy next-level homemade fried chicken. With juicy, well-seasoned meat and shatteringly crispy skin, this naked fried chicken lets the natural flavor of the chicken take center stage. Ditch the dreary frozen stuff and fry up some crispy happiness in your own kitchen. Your family and friends will thank you.
So, What’s the Best Way to Bread Chicken?
Marinate your chicken in lemon juice and crushed garlic for maximum flavor and the most tender meat.
For the biggest (and most consistent) crunch, dredge in flour, then dip in egg, then coat in crumbs. If you’re into a battered cutlet but don’t want to commit all the way, combine the flour and egg, then coat in crumbs.
When it comes to breading, it’s tough to go wrong. If you’re a big fan of the flavor of any specific cracker or chip (like Ritz or Saltine or Cheez-Its), use those. For a classic, extra-crunchy boy, use panko or panko-Parm. For something nuttier, try fresh bread crumbs made from whole wheat or multigrain. What should Ella test in a future column? Share requests in the comments!
The Dynamite Chicken cookbook is here! Get ready for 60 brand-new ways to love your favorite bird. Inside this clever collection by Food52 and chef Tyler Kord, youll find everything from lightning-quick weeknight dinners to the coziest of comfort foods.
How to make CRISPY deep fried wings (No Flour) .. Sooo good
FAQ
Can you fry chicken without breading?
Yes, you can definitely fry chicken without breading. While breading adds a crispy outer layer, it’s not essential for cooking chicken.
How to fry chicken on the stove top?
A large, well-seasoned cast-iron skillet will pan-fry your chicken without sticking. Using medium-high heat, wait until the skillet is hot before adding the chicken. Let it cook on one side, without turning, until properly browned. When the chicken releases from the pan without sticking, turn to cook the other side.
Can I just fry chicken in oil?
Fry the Chicken
Pour the oil in a skillet and bring it to high heat. Brown the chicken on both sides, then reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and cook for about 30 minutes. Remove the cover, return the heat to high, and fry until extra crispy. Drain the chicken on paper towels.
What can I use to fry my chicken if I don’t have flour?
Rice flour makes amazingly crispy fried chicken. It’s used in lots of cultures as the preferred dredging flour.
What is fried chicken without flour?
What Is Fried Chicken Without Flour AKA “Naked Chicken”? Naked means it’s actually batter-free or flourless fried chicken; chicken is fried without any type of flour, breading, starch, or batter whatsoever. Skipping out on the flour makes this a really good low carb fried chicken dish.
What is easy no breaded fried chicken thighs?
Easy No Breaded Fried Chicken Thighs are made in a skillet, as your grandma used to make it. This recipe is a great way to put dinner on the table in no time. Whoever thought of the spicy chicken thing obviously didn’t care about the heat because when you eat spicy fried chicken in the Philippines, the sweating gets out of control immediately.
How do you make fried chicken without flour?
Sesame Oil- Sesame is one of the main reasons this fried chicken without flour recipe comes from the grease tasting so well. Sesame oil has a unique taste and bold smell. It’s perfect for cooking. Seasonings- I used a mixture of seasonings that helped to create the ultimate flourless fried chicken.