Mexican Fried Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• NOTE: INSTANT MASA CORN FLOUR (TAMALE FLOUR) IS AVAILABLE IN MOST MAJOR SUPERMARKETS. IF SPICIER CHICKEN IS DESIRED, USE PICKLED HOT PEPPER JUICE TO BRINE (OR) REDUCE PAPRIKA TO 1 TEASPOON, AND INCREASE CHIPOTLE CHILE POWDER TO 1 TEASPOON (DO NOT ADD ANY MORE CHIPOTLE OR CAYENNE PEPPER THAN GIVEN HERE, AS IT WILL IMPART A BITTER FLAVOR TO THE BREADING). FOR ADDED FLAVORS: YOU CAN BOIL BRINE FIRST WITH FRESH CILANTRO, PEPPERS, ONION AND GARLIC; COOL COMPLETELY; ADD FRESH LIME SLICES THEN CHICKEN. (STEP ONE): RINSE and blot chicken.
• COMBINE 8 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons fine sea salt for the BRINE in a large wide saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved; ADD lime slices then chicken pieces; COVER and transfer to refrigerator; MARINATE chicken between 4-36 hours in refrigerator, turning chicken as needed (marinate 36 hours for the most tender, flavorful chicken). NOTE: FOR A QUICKER STOVETOP MARINATION METHOD, PIERCE CHICKEN PIECES WELL WITH A FORK, THEN HEAT THE BRINE WITH CHICKEN, COVERED, OVER LOW HEAT FOR 20-30 MINUTES (TURN CHICKEN ONCE MIDWAY THROUGH).
• MEASURE the SEASONING ingredients into a large sealable container (such as a GLAD food storage container or a Ziploc bag); SEAL the container; SHAKE mixture well until thoroughly blended; OPEN container and add the BREADING ingredients; RESEAL container and shake well.
• BEAT 4 large eggs in a medium bowl (for the eggwash); REMOVE chicken from the brine; RINSE chicken; BLOT chicken dry; DIP chicken in the EGGWASH (or batter) until evenly coated.
• PLACE one piece battered chicken at a time into the breading mixture container; SEAL container firmly; SHAKE chicken gently in all motions to thoroughly coat chicken until evenly and generously breaded; PRESS breading firmly onto chicken; PLACE breaded chicken piece onto a rack to rest; REPEAT with remaining pieces chicken; ALLOW breaded chicken to absorb the breading for a few minutes before frying.
• ADD the manufacturer's recommended amount oil for deep-frying (use canola oil); PLACE deep-fryer basket into place in deep-fryer; PREHEAT fryer to 315°F (or preheat enough fat to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot between 315°F to 325°F, using a standard deep-fryer thermometer to gauge).
• CAREFULLY drop each piece breaded chicken one at a time, gently into the deep-fryer basket without crowding (if a standard size home fryer is used, add no more than 2-3 pieces at a time); (if stovetop frying, gently place breaded chicken pieces into hot oil using tongs, turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken between 16-18 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done); PLACE chicken on wire rack over baking sheet; TRANSFER into a preheated 170°F oven until all chicken has been fried.
• MAINTAIN frying oil temperature for remaining chicken; REPEAT the same cooking/steaming or warming procedures for the remaining chicken; SERVE.
• SNAP your fingers and shout, "OLE!".

Steps:

• In a bowl combine sour cream, milk, chili peppers, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
• Place chicken pieces in a bag and set in a shallow dish.
• Pour sour cream mixture over chicken, seal bag.
• Refrigerate overnight, turn bag occasionally.
• Place flour in a shallow dish.
• Remove chicken from sour cream mixture shaking off excess.
• Discard remaining sour cream mixture.
• Add chicken pieces to flour mixture, a few at a time, turning to coat.
• Add oil to a 12-inch heavy skillet to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
• Heat over medium high heat until hot (350F) Reduce heat.
• Carefully add chicken to the skillet. Cook uncovered, over medium heat about 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 F for breast, 180F for thighs and drumsticks), turning occasionally to brown evenly.
• Drain on paper towel.

Steps:

• In a resealable plastic bag combine the chicken, buttermilk and 1 packet of taco seasoning. Seal and shake to mix together. Refrigerate and let marinate overnight.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium low heat. Mix flour and the other packet of taco seasoning in a shallow dish or plate. Remove chicken from refrigerator and remove chicken from marinade. Discard marinade.
• Coat chicken with flour mixture and fry in skillet until cooked through and juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Mash garlic with 1/2 teaspoon.
• salt until a paste.
• Rub chicken pieces with all the garlic mash.
• Arrange in a shallow single layer glass dish.
• Sprinkle the lime juice tabasco sauce,and onion over top.
• Cover and chill at least four hours.
• Turning twice.
• This also can be done in a baggy.
• Remove and pat dry.
• Mix flour with the remaining.
• salt, chili powder and cumin.
• Coat the chicken pieces with flour well.
• Heat a large frypan with about 1/4 inch deep of oil.
• Place chicken skin down, cover and cook 5 minutes.
• Uncover and cook 15 minutes.
• Turn chicken.
• Cook covered five minutes.
• Uncover and cook 10 minutes until done.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle with salt while warm.

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk into shallow dish. Combine cornmeal, chili powder, and salt in separate shallow dish. Place chicken in buttermilk and turn to coat. Place chicken in cornmeal mixture and turn to coat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 chicken breasts; sauté until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate; tent with foil. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.
• Serve with Salsa Verde (or your favorite salsa) spooned on top of the chicken.