Secret Ingredient Best Juicy Fried Chicken

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

The chicken soup and cornstarch is the secret ingredient to this delicious mouth watering juicy fried chicken, if desired you may brown the chicken pieces firstly in a little oil then finish cooking in the oven, don't bother using a different flavor of condensed soup it will not be good, this also works well using skin on chicken thighs or drumsticks, it's best to use all the same so the chicken will cook at the same time, there is enough batter for 6 large skin on chicken thighs --- plan slightly ahead as the coated chicken needs to sit at room temperature until it becomes doughy --- this is delicious!

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (can use 6 large skin-on chicken thighs or 3 chicken thighs and 3 drumsticks)
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted (no substitutes, use only cream of chicken condensed soup)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (no more as the canned soup is salty enough)
• 10 tablespoons all-purpose flour (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
• 10 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste, adjust to suit heat level) (optional)

Directions:

1. In a shallow dish or bowl combine egg with soup and 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt; mix until thoroughly combined.
2. Add the chicken pieces and using your clean hands toss to coat completely; set aside or you may refrigerate until ready to finish making the recipe.
3. In a medium bowl mix together flour with cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt and black pepper.
4. Working with one piece of chicken at a time, place the soup-coated chicken into the flour mixture and toss to coat completely.
5. Add more flour and/or cornstarch if necessary adding them in equal parts (there should be an equal amount of each in the mixture, if you add in 2 tablespoons flour you must add in 2 tablespoons cornstarch with the flour).
6. Place the coated chicken on a rack and allow to sit until it becomes doughy (THIS IS A CRUCIAL STEP to ensure crispiness when fried).
7. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat (be certain to use enough oil to cover the chicken pieces).
8. Once the chicken is doughy test oil by dropping in a piece of the "dough" into it the oil is ready when it stars to fry immediately.
9. Fry chicken pieces in oil for about 10 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear.
10. Drain on a rack.

Reviews

[Seashorewalker]

First, I want to clarify that I do not rate recipes 5 stars just to be nice or polite but only when it's spectacular. This was SPECTACULAR! The chicken was unbelievably tender and seasoned perfectly. I made chicken strips cut from breasts. Followed the recipe exactly except I reduced the garlic powder the 1/2 tsp (personal taste preference). Don't miss letting the chicken sit for a while after breading. I had NO problem with the breading falling off but I think that was due to letting it sit like instructed. I marinated the cut chicken in the liquid mixture for a couple of hours in the fridge before breading and frying. That also might have made a difference with the breading staying on. Some have mentioned taste being bland. I disagree as we thought the taste was perfect. Follow the directions exactly but remember everyone has their own preferences with taste. When they are done if you think it needs more sprinkle some seasonings over the finished product and adjust the recipe.

[Karabea]

Delicious! I cut my chicken breasts into tenders, and they taste just like ones from a restaurant, they were so good! I must admit I used about 3 pinches of cayenne (we like it spicy). We fried these in our deep fryer at 375 degrees for 4 minutes. They were perfect! Thank you for posting, I will definitely make these again!

[Evilcin]

I really did not get to eat it due to me being on a diet but my husband loves it. I did fry up some of the dough and eat little pieces of it and it was very good. Will make again and again. Thank you for the awesome recipe!