Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chicken Recipe
Discover a simple yet delicious recipe for sweet and spicy crispy chicken, featuring a flavorful glaze and crunchy coating. Perfect for spring or festive occasions, this dish emphasizes ease of preparation with steps like marination, coating, and frying, culminating in a juicy, flavorful meal. Ideal for both beginners and experienced chefs looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe with vibrant spices and crispy texture. Customize with quick shortcuts like parboiling potatoes and using chicken parts for faster results. A perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch, this chicken will become a family favorite.
Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chicken
This recipe offers a tasty twist on classic fried chicken, blending a flavorful glaze with crispy, juicy meat. Perfect for spring gatherings or cozy evenings, this dish is simple to prepare and full of enticing flavors from cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning. The secret lies in the crunchy coating and tangy glaze that enhances each bite. For an extra quick version, use chicken parts and parboil potatoes briefly. Chill the coated chicken overnight for optimal crispness and flavor absorption.
Delivering the vibrant flavors of a Mediterranean-inspired feast, this crispy chicken is light enough for holiday dinners yet hearty enough to satisfy any craving.
Is this dish difficult to prepare?
While it involves a few steps, the process is straightforward and all done in one dish, making it manageable even for novice cooks.
A simple mix of ingredients gets you close to crispy, flavorful chicken in just a few easy steps.
Note: To save time, parboil potatoes for 5 minutes and use chicken cuts rather than a whole bird.
What ingredients are necessary for the chicken and glaze? A quick, easy recipe needs only a handful of ingredients:
A 3.5–4 pound whole chicken cut into 8 pieces (legs, thighs, wings, backbone, breast halves)
10 ounces kosher salt
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
4 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups buttermilk
For the glaze and final assembly, you will need:
2 teaspoons paprika
1.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
3/4 cup lard
Vegetable oil for frying (about four quarters)
Tools: a deep-fry thermometer
How do you make this simple crispy chicken?
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once warmed, add water, salt, and brown sugar, whisking until dissolved. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add chicken pieces, remove from heat, cover, and let chill for 4 hours.
Mix flour and Old Bay in a shallow dish. In a bowl, pour buttermilk. Pat dry chicken pieces. Dip each piece in buttermilk, then coat with seasoned flour. Place on a wire rack; repeat with remaining pieces. Refrigerate uncovered for 12-24 hours.
How to prepare the glaze and serve?
Let chicken rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
In a small saucepan, melt lard with paprika, cayenne, and Old Bay, stirring constantly until smooth. Keep warm.
Heat oil in a large pot to 350°F. Deep-fry chicken in batches, turning often, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
Drain on wire racks, then brush with warm glaze. Serve hot and enjoy the flavorful, crispy chicken.
