Shallow frying chicken is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook up deliciously crispy chicken at home. With just a skillet, some oil, and chicken pieces of your choice, you can enjoy juicy, golden chicken in less than 15 minutes!
But getting the timing just right can be tricky. Undercook the chicken and it will be soggy and underdone. If you fry it for too long, the meat will be rough and dry. So how long should you shallow fry chicken for each time to get it perfectly crispy? Let’s take it step by step.
What is Shallow Frying?
When you shallow fry, food is only partially submerged in oil and fried in a pan or skillet. This is different from deep frying, where the food is fully submerged in oil. The pan only needs about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of oil. It takes less time to cook and uses less oil than deep-frying.
Shallow frying is ideal for relatively thin, small pieces of meat fish, or vegetables. The high heat helps seal in moisture and flavors while creating a crispy outer crust. Chicken thighs, drumsticks, breasts tenders, and wings are all great candidates for shallow frying.
Factors That Affect Cook Times
You should shallow fry chicken for a certain amount of time so that it’s fully cooked without drying out.
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Thickness – The thicker the chicken pieces, the longer they will take to cook through. Boneless thighs and breasts will cook faster than bone-in pieces.
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Temperature – Shallow fry between 325-375°F. Higher heat cooks chicken faster.
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Size of pieces – Larger, thicker pieces need more time than smaller, thinner ones.
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Amount of chicken – Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook chicken in batches if needed.
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Coating – A wet batter or heavily breaded coating adds time.
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Oil temperature – Chicken absorbs more oil if it’s too cold. If too hot, coating burns.
Recommended Cook Times
As a general rule, these are the times that different cuts and sizes of chicken should be shallow-fried:
- Boneless breasts or tenders, 1⁄2 inch thick: 6-8 minutes per side
- Boneless thighs, 1⁄2 inch thick: 8-10 minutes per side
- Bone-in thighs or drumsticks: 12-15 minutes per side
- Wings: 10-12 minutes per side
- Whole small chicken, cut up: 12-15 minutes per side
The best way to test doneness is by using an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, pierce the thickest part of the chicken with a paring knife and check that the juices run clear.
Tips for Crispy, Juicy Chicken
Follow these tips to achieve the perfect crispy yet moist chicken when shallow frying:
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Pat chicken dry before coating to help the coating adhere and prevent splattering.
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Use a combination of oils like peanut and vegetable oil to achieve optimal flavor and texture.
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Preheat oil to 350-375°F before adding chicken so coating browns immediately.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan to maintain oil temperature. Fry in batches.
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Let chicken rest 3-5 minutes after frying to allow juices to redistribute.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to test internal temperature and prevent overcooking.
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Keep chicken warm in a low oven after frying if serving later.
Coating and Marinade Ideas
For extra flavor and crunch, try coating your chicken in:
- Flour, panko or cornflake crumbs
- Spiced flour blend
- Buttermilk then flour or crumbs
- Beer batter
- Cajun seasoning
- Jerk or barbecue dry rub
You can also marinate chicken for added moisture and flavor. Try soaking chicken for 30 mins – overnight in:
- Buttermilk
- Yogurt and spices
- Barbecue or teriyaki sauce
- Lemon, lime, or orange juice
- Wine, beer, or soda
- Herb blend marinade
Best Side Dishes
Crispy shallow fried chicken tastes amazing with:
- French fries or homemade chips
- Coleslaw or potato salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Corn on the cob
- Mashed or baked potatoes
- Biscuits, cornbread, or rolls
- Waffles or pancakes
Dip your chicken in honey mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, or gravy for even more flavor.
Mastering the ideal shallow fry times is the key to creating chicken that is juicy, tender, and super crispy on the outside. Keep thickness, oil temperature, and doneness in mind. Following these guidelines and frying tips will help you achieve crunchy, golden perfection in less time than it takes to order takeout. Just be sure to make extra, because perfectly fried chicken never lasts long!
Why anyone can cook chicken cutlets at home:
- You don’t have to pound out your own chicken breasts because you can buy them thinly sliced.
- Use store bought Panko bread crumbs.
- There are minimal ingredients to this recipe.
- Because the chicken is so thin, the cutlets cook very quickly.
- There are only a few easy steps to the process.
- Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts
- Panko Bread Crumbs (can use gluten free here as well)
- Flour (can also use gluten free all purpose flour)
- Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
- Good oil: I like to use olive oil or a mix of olive oil and avocado oil. The avocado oil can cook at a higher temperature than the olive oil, which keeps it from getting burned.
There is truly nothing better than a fresh cutlet straight from the pan. I simply shallow fry the cutlets on each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and chicken has been cooked through. From there, I remove the crispy cutlets to a paper towel lined baking sheet to let excess oil drain and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve as you wish from there!.
You can of course also cook these cutlets in the air fryer as well, but nothing compares to the real deal pan fried cutlet. But if you want to air fry the cutlets, do everything the recipe says until it says to spray both sides with oil. Air fry for 6-8 minutes until golden, flipping once.
The Best Fried Chicken You’ll Ever Make | Epicurious 101
FAQ
How long does it take to fry chicken in shallow oil?
Starting with an oil temperature of 350°F, each batch should take 20 to 25 minutes to cook, until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F for thighs or …Jan 8, 2024.
Is 20 minutes long enough to fry chicken?
The chicken takes 15 to 20 minutes to fry, assuming that your oil is maintained around 370°F. If your oil temperature drops, it can take longer for the chicken to cook. Chicken breasts take longer to cook than chicken thighs or drumsticks. However, very small pieces of chicken may be done in as little as 12 minutes.
How long to shallow fry chicken per side?
Cook, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes per side until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels.
How to know when shallow fried chicken is done?
Depending on their size, chicken pieces typically take 12-15 minutes to fry. To ensure they’re cooked through, always make sure the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).