Chicken fries are a fun and tasty way to enjoy crispy, breaded chicken Making homemade chicken fries is surprisingly easy, and allows you to customize them to your liking In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of how to make chicken fries at home with just a few simple ingredients and steps.
What are Chicken Fries?
Chicken fries are made from chicken breast meat cut into long thick strips breaded, and fried until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The end result tastes a lot like chicken nuggets or chicken fingers, but in the shape of fries.
Chicken fries were popularized in 2005 when they appeared on the menu at Burger King. However, you can easily recreate this tasty snack or meal at home with just a bit of preparation. The homemade version allows you to use high quality chicken and play around with different seasonings and breading options.
Why Make Homemade Chicken Fries?
There are several benefits to making chicken fries rather than buying pre-made:
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Use better quality chicken: You can purchase fresh, natural chicken rather than processed meat.
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Control ingredients: Homemade allows you to use healthier oils, minimal processed ingredients, and wholesome coatings like panko or cornflakes.
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Customize flavors: Change up the spices, marinades, and breading to suit your taste. Make them as mild or spicy as you like.
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Save money: Cooking at home costs a fraction of the price of buying prepared or picking them up from a fast food chain.
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Have fun: Kids can get involved with preparing and customizing their own chicken fries. It’s a fun cooking project for the whole family.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s get into how to actually make chicken fries at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken fries only require a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Chicken breasts – Skinless, boneless breasts cut into strips
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Flour – For dredging the chicken pieces
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Eggs – To help the coating adhere
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Breading – Panko, cornflakes, or seasoned breadcrumbs
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Oil – For frying, like canola or vegetable oil
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Seasonings – Salt, pepper, spices of your choice
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Dipping sauces – Ketchup, ranch, honey mustard, etc.
That’s really all there is to it! Now let’s get into the easy method.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly crispy, flavorful homemade chicken fries:
1. Cut the Chicken
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Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts. Slice each breast lengthwise into long, wide strips about 1/2-inch thick.
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Cut any large pieces in half so all the strips are roughly the same size for even cooking.
2. Season the Chicken (Optional)
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Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or any flavors you like.
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You can also marinate for added flavor and juiciness. A buttermilk marinade works very well.
3. Prepare the Breading Station
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Set up a dredging station with three shallow dishes or pans.
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Dish 1: All-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
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Dish 2: Beat 1-2 eggs with 1 Tbsp water or milk.
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Dish 3: Panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or seasoned breading of your choice.
4. Bread the Chicken Fries
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One at a time, dredge strips in flour, coat in egg mixture, then press into breading until fully coated on all sides.
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Set on a baking sheet or plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
5. Fry the Chicken
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Heat 1-2 inches oil in a heavy pot or dutch oven to 325-350°F.
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Working in batches, fry chicken fries for 2-4 minutes until deep golden brown, turning occasionally.
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Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Season immediately with salt.
6. Bake the Chicken Fries
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For a lighter oven-baked version, place breaded strips on a greased baking sheet.
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Bake at 425°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
7. Serve Immediately
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Serve chicken fries hot and crispy with your choice of dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, bbq sauce, etc.
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Enjoy this tasty homemade treat! Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until hot and crispy.
And that’s it! With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make delicious chicken fries at home to enjoy anytime. Customize them with different breadings, spices, and sauces to suit your taste. Now that you know how to do it, try whipping up a batch of homemade chicken fries for your next game day party, weeknight dinner, or fun snack.
What are Chicken Fries?
Chicken Fries are a type of fast food menu item offered by the Burger King fast food chain. They are thin strips of chicken that are breaded and fried until crispy, and then served in a container similar to French fries. Chicken Fries were first introduced by Burger King in 2005 as a limited-time item, but due to their popularity, they were added to the permanent menu in 2014. Chicken Fries have since become one of the most popular items on Burger Kings menu, and they are often served with a variety of dipping sauces.
How to store Air Fryer Chicken Fries
- Refrigerator storage: If you plan to eat the Chicken Fries within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezer storage: If you want to store the Chicken Fries for longer, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. This will prevent them from sticking together. Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Fries can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
- Reheating: When you are ready to eat the Chicken Fries, reheat them in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350°F or until they are heated through and crispy again.
- Do not store the dipping sauce together with the chicken fries. Keep them in a separate container or package.
How to Make Copycat Burger King Chicken Fries at Home | MyRecipes
FAQ
How are chicken fries made?
Chicken fries are essentially strips of breaded and fried chicken, shaped like French fries.
What are the ingredients to make chicken fry?
- 1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces.
- 1 cup buttermilk.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating.
- 1 teaspoon paprika.
- salt and pepper to taste.
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying.
What seasoning is on chicken fries?
Our Tips for the Best Chicken Fries
A classic buttermilk marinade will tenderize and add tanginess to the meat, while a more spicy marinade can be used for additional kick. Seasonings: Mix up the seasoning of these fries with onion powder, dried herbs, cumin, chili powder, lemon pepper, or any seasonings you prefer.
What are the ingredients in yummy chicken fries?
Yummy Chicken Breast Fries typically contain boneless, skinless chicken breast with rib meat, water, and a breading made from a blend of wheat flour, whole wheat flour, and yellow corn flour.
What to eat with fried chicken?
A mixture of greens accompanied with fried onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, red cabbage, natural hardwood smoked bacon, Cheddar Jack cheese, and hard-boiled egg. served with fried chicken and your preferred dressing.
What sauce goes with fried chicken?
Fried Chicken sauteed with bell pepper ginger tossed in Chef’s special schezwan sauce. Fried chicken sauteed in a Japanese sauce made from a combination of soy read more Fish tossed in a sophisticated and addictive taste of tangy, spicy, sweet & read more Fish with bell pepper ginger tossed in mild soy & garlic sauce.
What goes well with fried chicken wings?
Pickles and Celery: Classic accompaniments like pickles and celery sticks can provide a crunchy and tangy contrast to the rich and saucy wings. Beer: If you’re serving the wings during a sports event or casual gathering, they pair wonderfully with cold beer. The combination of hot wings and a cold brew is a favorite for many.