DEEP FRYER TEMP FOR CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Pound the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides leveled out so they cook evenly.
• Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, stir to dissolve.
• Add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit, refrigerated 1 to 1 1/2 hours to brine. Remove from water, pat dry with paper towels and discard the water.
• In a small bowl combine 3/4 teaspoon salt, with the remaining spices. Spritz the chicken with oil and rub all over, then rub the spice mix over the chicken.
• Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and air fry in batches 380F 5 minutes on each side, 10 minutes total until browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. See notes below for larger breasts.
• Oven Method:

Steps:

• Place 2 whole chickens in insert of turkey deep fryer (or 2 chicken halves in basket insert of large deep pasta pot); place insert in deep fryer (or pot). Measure number of cups of cold water needed to cover chickens by 1 inch; number of cups of water is amount of oil needed for deep-frying. Remove chickens from water and pat very dry. Thoroughly dry deep fryer (or pot) and insert; reserve.
• Mix salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in small bowl. Sprinkle chickens all over with seasoning mix. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
• Place required cups of peanut oil in deep fryer. (If using pasta pot, place oil in pot and attach deep-fry thermometer to side.) Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F. Pat chicken dry, if moist. Place 2 whole chickens in insert of deep fryer (or 2 chicken halves in basket insert of pot; reposition thermometer to side of basket insert).
• Carefully lower chickens into oil. (If using pot, increase heat to high.) Fry chickens until cooked through and instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, about 25 minutes.
• To avoid oil spills, very carefully and slowly lift chickens from oil. Using tongs, transfer chickens to rack set over baking sheet. (If using pasta pot, repeat with remaining chicken halves.)
• Cut whole chickens into quarters (cut chicken halves into 2 pieces). Serve.