Il Cucinologo
EN

Fried Chicken in Whole Wheat Batter

17/11/2023

I can guide you through preparing whole wheat batter fried chicken, a slightly more rustic and perhaps slightly more nutritious variation of the classic batter. Here are the ingredients and the process to prepare this delicious dish.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs (or other pieces according to preference)
  • 200 g whole wheat flour
  • 1 egg
  • 250 ml milk (or a plant-based alternative such as soy or almond milk)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying (plenty of mixed seed oil for deep frying)

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning and drying the chicken pieces well. If you prefer, you can lightly score the meat with a sharp knife to allow better flavor penetration and even cooking.

  2. For the batter, in a large bowl, sift the whole wheat flour. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika, then mix well to evenly distribute the spices.

  3. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the egg, starting to whisk while gradually adding the milk until you obtain a smooth batter without lumps. The consistency should be liquid enough to adhere to the chicken without dripping too much.

  4. Dip the chicken pieces in the batter, making sure they are completely coated. Let them rest in the batter for a few minutes so they absorb some flavor.

  5. Meanwhile, heat plenty of oil in a deep pan or fryer, bringing it to a temperature of about 170-180 °C. Use an oil thermometer if available to monitor the temperature.

  6. When the oil is ready, gently immerse the chicken pieces in the fryer, being careful not to overcrowd the container so as not to lower the oil temperature too much.

  7. Fry the chicken until golden and crispy, usually it takes about 7-10 minutes depending on the size of the pieces. Turn it once or twice to ensure even cooking.

  8. Drain then on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  9. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving. You can check the cooking by cutting the thickest part of the piece and making sure the juice that comes out is clear and not pink.

  10. Serve hot, perhaps accompanied by a fresh sauce made with Greek yogurt and herbs or with classic ketchup.

Trivia

Battered chicken is a very common preparation in many international cuisines, especially in American cuisine where it is called “fried chicken”. In Italy, the use of whole wheat flour is not the norm, but this choice can give the dish a more intense aroma and a slightly different consistency than usual.