FRIED PANKO CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Pour the buttermilk into a wide shallow dish and stir in the garlic. Slice the chicken into chunky slices, about 9.5cm long x 3-4cm wide. Lay the chicken in the dish and turn it over in the buttermilk so it is well coated. Leave in the fridge for 1-2 hrs, or preferably overnight.
• Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan and tip in the panko crumbs and flour. Toast them in the pan for 2-3 mins, stirring regularly so they brown evenly and don’t burn. Tip the crumb mix into a bowl and stir in the paprika, mustard, thyme, chilli powder, pepper and a pinch of fine sea salt. Set aside.
• When ready to cook, heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Line a baking tin with foil and sit a wire rack (preferably non-stick) on top. Transfer half the crumb mix to a medium-large plastic bag. Lift half the chicken from the buttermilk, leaving the marinade clinging to it. Transfer it to the bag of seasoned crumbs. Seal the end of the bag and give it a good shake so the chicken gets well covered (you could do all the crumbs and chicken together if you prefer, but it’s easier to coat evenly in 2 batches).
• Remove the chicken from the bag. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan, then add the chicken pieces and fry for 1½ mins without moving them. Turn the chicken over, pour in another ½ tbsp of the oil to cover the base of the pan and fry for 1 min more, so both sides are becoming golden. Using tongs, transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining seasoned crumbs, oil and chicken.
• Bake all the chicken on the rack for 15 mins until cooked and crisp, then serve with the Crunchy coleslaw (see 'Goes well with', below right).

Steps:

• To make the brine: Stir Kosher salt into water until dissolved. Place chicken parts in a nonreactive bowl or pot; add enough brine to cover completely. Refrigerate up to 8 hours. Drain the brined chicken and rinse out the bowl it brine was in.
• Return the chicken to the bowl. Add beaten egg to the buttermilk. Pour buttermilk over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for another four hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the oil for frying by putting oil and butter in a pan (I prefer a deep fryer). Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, skimming as needed until the butter ceases to throw off foam. Just before frying, increase the temperature to medium-high.
• In another bowl mix all dry ingredients.
• Roll chicken in dry ingredients. Begin to fry. Do not overcrowd the pan or the cooking oil will cool.
• Using tongs, slip some of the chicken pieces, skin side down, into the heated fat until chicken is golden brown. Drain on a wire rack or crumpled paper towels and serve.