Fried chicken is a dish that is prepared by marinating chicken pieces and then coating them with a batter or breading until the chicken turns golden brown and crispy. The marination helps to add flavor to the chicken and also makes it juicy, while the coating makes it crispy and scrumptious. There are many ways to fry chicken, and most of the ways include eggs. However, there are plenty of other coating methods that you can use if you don’t want to use eggs. Don’t worry, your fried chicken will still be as delicious as it is with eggs. So, without further ado, let us dive into how to fry chicken without eggs.
Why do we use eggs when frying chicken?
The usual recipe for fried chicken consists of a few steps. In the first step, the chicken pieces are cut with a knife so that the deeper parts of the meat are enriched with spices and/or marinade flavor. There are many marination recipes that you can use. For instance, you can always add your favorite spices into a bowl and then mix them with lemon juice to prepare a zesty marinade for your chicken.
The next step of the recipe includes dipping your marinated chicken into the egg, coating it with rice flour or all-purpose flour, dipping it into the egg, and then coating it with breadcrumbs. Undoubtedly, chicken coated in egg gives your fried chicken a smoother and crispier texture and acts as a binding agent between the marinated chicken piece and the breading. However, there are many substitutes for eggs!
Can you fry chicken without using eggs?
The answer is yes! You can fry chicken without using eggs. But what are the reasons behind not using such a perfect binding ingredient like eggs? Many people are allergic to eggs, and some just can’t bear the smell of eggs. Do such people have no right to enjoy the deliciousness of fried chicken? Absolutely not. For those people, we have compiled a list of ways to enjoy a delightful and crispy fried chicken without eggs.
What are substitutes for eggs in frying chicken?
If you want to prepare a fried chicken dish without eggs, you don’t need to worry, as there are many ways to make your chicken just as good and crunchy as it is with eggs. Here’s a list of ingredients that you can use:
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a white-colored liquid that is left behind after extracting butter from milk or cream. It is usually available in local stores, but you can also make it easily at home. Use buttermilk instead of an egg as a binding agent before coating your chicken with seasoning and breadcrumbs. Not only will it give your chicken an extraordinary taste, but it will also make your chicken nice and crispy.
- Tomato paste: Tomato paste is another ingredient you can use in place of eggs. Simply peel and blend some tomatoes, and then use the paste as a binding agent. The tomato paste will not only solve your problem but also give your fried chicken a unique flavor.
- Cornstarch batter: Simply make a slurry using cornstarch and water/milk. Dip your marinated chicken into this batter and then coat it with breadcrumbs. It will give your chicken extra crunchiness. You can also use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.
- Rice flour slurry: Yet another substitute for eggs. Rice flour slurry also makes fried chicken extra crispy.
- Heavy cream: You can also use heavy cream in place of eggs to add a creamy kick to your deep-fried chicken.
How To Fry Chicken Without Eggs – Easy Fried Chicken Recipe
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Marinade time: 4 hours
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Serving: 3 to 4
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
For the marinade
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup Buffalo Sauce
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
For dry mixture
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½. Mix the ingredients.
- Pat chicken pieces dry and place them in the buttermilk mixture. Make sure the mixture coats them completely.
- Cover the bowl with Clingfilm and place them in the refrigerator to marinate for about 4 hours.
- Before cooking, take the chicken out of the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Add all the dry mixture ingredients in a shallow dish or a bowl, i.e., all-purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt. Mix well.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan. It should reach 350 degrees F.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the buttermilk mixture and place them in the dry mixture. Drench it a couple of times to ensure the dry mixture sticks to the chicken completely.
- Carefully place the chicken thigh in hot oil and fry it for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes or any of your favorite sides.
How To Fry Chicken Without Eggs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)
- For the marinade
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup Buffalo Sauce
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- For the dry mixture
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Add buttermilk, buffalo sauce, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry and place them in the buttermilk mixture. Make sure the mixture coats them completely.
- Cover the bowl with Clingfilm and place them in the refrigerator to marinate for about 4 hours.
- Before cooking, take the chicken out of the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- In a shallow dish or a bowl, add all the dry mixture ingredients, i.e., all-purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt. Mix well.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan. It should reach 350 degrees F.
- Take out the chicken thigh from the buttermilk mixture and place them directly in the dry mixture. Drench it a couple of times to ensure the dry mixture sticks to the chicken completely.
- Carefully place the chicken thigh in hot oil and fry it for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve the fried chicken with mashed potatoes or any of your favorite sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, you’ll find specific alternative methods and ingredients for frying chicken without the use of eggs. These tips will help you achieve delicious results that meet dietary preferences or restrictions.
What are some egg substitutes for breading chicken?
You can use buttermilk, yogurt, or a simple mixture of flour and water to coat your chicken before breading it. These substitutes provide the moisture and stickiness needed for the breading to adhere properly to the chicken.
Can I make crispy fried chicken by just using flour?
Yes, you can. Dredging your chicken in well-seasoned flour and then frying it in oil at the correct temperature, typically 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, will give you a crisp outer layer. Make sure your chicken is dry before coating it with flour to ensure maximum crispiness.
How can I prepare fried chicken using milk instead of eggs?
Dip your chicken pieces in milk, then coat them in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs. The milk helps the coating stick to the chicken and provides a golden color upon frying, similar to an egg-coated chicken.
Is it possible to make fried chicken in an air fryer without eggs?
Definitely. Coat your chicken with a seasoned flour mix or bread crumbs that can adhere naturally or with the help of a non-egg wash like milk or oil. Air-fry at the recommended temperature, usually around 375 degrees Fahrenheit, until cooked through and crispy.
