Flouring and Coating Your Chicken
Monday, April 26th, 2010There are two basic ways to flour the chicken, and which one you use will depend on what you prefer and probably on what Grandma did. The paper bag method involves putting spices and flour into a strong paper bag, then dropping the chicken in a few pieces at a time. Close the bag and shake it for even coating with little to no mess.
Using a shallow dish to coat your chicken requires putting the flour and spices into a dish such as a pie pan or casserole, then rolling them in the mixture. This still coats well, and it allows you to see more easily, what you are doing. However, it does result in a bit more mess. Most people will use one method or the other according to personal preference and what their Grandma used.
Remember that the amount of chicken you work with should correspond to the recipe – three pounds at a time is common. You will want to trim excess skin and fat before cooking. People who use boneless chicken, boneless skinless chicken, or who trim all the skin will need to cook their chicken for less time than those using bone-in chicken or frying an entire bird. No matter what you do, take care and pay attention and you will get great fried chicken to match those old summer memories.