Whether you’re trying to perfect your fried chicken skills or tend to shy away from a hot skillet, one of the keys to properly fried chicken is the type of oil you use. We’ve rounded up 9 of the Best Oil to Fry Chicken, and have also included some tips on how to successfully fry chicken as well. Let’s eat!
Does the thought of tender, juicy, and crispy fried chicken cause your mouth to water? Fried chicken is definitely a favorite food among many. Lots of restaurants claim to have the best fried chicken, and even more home cooks like to boast about their perfectly fried chicken.
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What Oil Does KFC Use?
There’s nothing like the scent of KFC. As soon as you’re close to one of their restaurants, your belly is guaranteed to rumble.
Considering the popularity of the brand and their decades of experience, they must know a thing or two about frying chicken, right? KFC uses canola oil to fry their chicken.
What Makes the Best Cooking Oil for Deep Frying (Key Criteria)?
Smoke Point
Because fried chicken is cooked in hot oil over high heat, the oil used must have a high smoke point. This will ensure that the oil doesn’t burn and start to smoke while you’re frying your chicken.
Flavor
You don’t want the flavor of the oil to compete with your chicken. A neutral-flavored oil is your best bet.
Price
You want your chicken to taste great so don’t cheap out on the oil you use. Fortunately, there are many good quality oils that are also economical.
Best Oil to Fry Chicken
Because of their high smoke point, vegetable oils such as peanut oil or canola oil are excellent options for deep-frying chicken. You’ll need to heat the oil to 350˚F (177˚C) and then add your chicken. If you’re using a thermometer, you’ll notice that the temperature will drop slightly after adding the chicken. Adjust the heat to ensure that it maintains a temperature between 300-350˚F.
1. Canola Oil
Affordable and easy to access, canola oil is neutral in flavor and has a smoke point of 425°F making it an excellent choice for deep-frying.
2. Sunflower Oil
Neutral tasting and a high smoke point of 475 – 520°F, sunflower oil is a very good option for frying chicken.
3. Peanut Oil
Economical and widely used for deep-frying, peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450°F. It has a mild nutty flavor that lends well to fried chicken.
4. Vegetable Shortening
This solid form of oil has a smoke point of 360°F and melts as it heats. Sometimes considered old-fashioned, it has a neutral flavor and can produce great fried chicken.
5. Lard
Another option if you prefer a solid form of oil, lard has a smoke point of 375˚°F and melts as it heats. It’s known to produce a delightfully crispy chicken. Note that lard contains pig fat so choose another option if you don’t eat pork.
6. Coconut Oil
Considered by some to be a healthier option, coconut oil has a smoke point of 400°F. It does have a bit of a coconut flavor but as long as you don’t use virgin coconut oil, it shouldn’t affect the taste of the chicken.
7. Avocado Oil
With a very high smoke point of 500°F, avocado oil is a good option for frying foods over high heat. It does have a slightly nutty but pleasant flavor that will transfer to the chicken.
8. Soybean Oil
Featuring a high smoke point of 450°F and a neutral flavor, soybean oil is also economical.
9. Grapeseed Oil
With its neutral flavor and high smoke point of 420°F, grapeseed oil is a good option. It can be a bit pricier than canola and peanut oil.
What Brands of Vegetable Oil are Best for Frying Chicken?
Take a stroll down the aisle of oils in your local grocery store and you’ll find numerous brands to choose from.
We particularly like Lou Ana peanut oil for its excellent quality and budget-friendly pricing. Native Harvest Sunflower Oil is sold in 2-liter jugs, making it a great choice if you fry foods often. The Whole Foods brand of canola oil is well-priced and sold in a large 3-liter bottle.
Best Fried Chicken Wings
If you prefer chicken wings over fried drumsticks, thighs, and breasts, you’ll be happy to know that they’re easy to prepare and cook much faster than larger cuts.
You also won’t need to use as much oil. Just rinse and pat the wings dry, and season well with salt and pepper. For a crispier skin, refrigerate the wings for about an hour. Then, blend your spices along with some flour and coat the wings, shaking off the excess flour.
Heat 2 inches of oil in a large pot until it reaches 350°F. Working in batches, add the wings for about 8 minutes, until cooked through. Drain on racks above paper towels and serve with your favorite sauces and dips.
Do I Need to Brine the Chicken Before Frying?
Some cooks feel that brining chicken is a must, while others skip it altogether, so it’s totally up to you! Brining the chicken does introduce great flavor and improves tenderness, so you may want to give it a try to decide for yourself.
Generally brines include sugar, salt, bay leaves, peppercorns, coriander seeds, and water. You’ll have to plan in advance, as you’ll brine the chicken for 12-24 hours.
How to Fry Chicken
Prepare your chicken by rinsing, seasoning, and tossing it in flour. Select an oil with a high smoke point such as peanut oil or canola oil.
Add the oil to a large pot and heat it to 350˚F (177˚C). Add your chicken and cook for 5 minutes, ensuring that the temperature of the oil stays between 300-350˚F. Turn the chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes for white meat, and 12 minutes for dark meat.
If the chicken begins to get too brown, reduce the temperature slightly. Once done, remove the chicken and drain on a rack over paper towels. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches a temperature of 165˚F.
How Long Does it Take to Fry Chicken?
The frying time will depend on the size and types of pieces you’re using. Generally speaking, bone-in thighs will take about 17 minutes, bone-in breasts will take 15 minutes, and chicken wings will take 8 minutes.
It’s best to use an instant-read thermometer to determine when chicken is done. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches a temperature of 165˚F.
Tips for the Perfect Fried Chicken
- Cornstarch is the secret ingredient for the crispiest fried chicken. Adding some cornstarch to the all-purpose flour will make your chicken extra crispy and crunchy.
- Adjust the heat and make sure to keep the temperature between 300-350˚F.
- Avoid overcooking the chicken. Reduce the heat to ensure it doesn’t get too dark.
- Once the chicken is done, make sure to place it on a cooling rack above paper towels.
What’s the Best Oil for Deep Frying Chips?
Because of their high smoke points, neutral flavor, and budget-friendly prices, we like to use canola oil and peanut oil to fry potato chips and french fries.
Is Grapeseed Oil Good for Frying?
Because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point of 420°F, grapeseed oil is a good option for frying food. Note that it can be a bit pricier than canola and peanut oil.
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Fried Chicken (Best Oil to Fry Chicken)
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks or wings skin on
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Vegetable oil as needed for frying
Instructions
- Prepare your chicken by rinsing, seasoning, and tossing it in flour.
- Add the oil to a large pot and heat it to 350˚F (177˚C).
- Add your chicken and cook for 5 minutes, ensuring that the temperature of the oil stays between 300-350˚F.
- Turn the chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes for white meat, and 12 minutes for dark meat.
- If the chicken begins to get too brown, reduce the temperature slightly. Once done, remove the chicken and drain on a rack over paper towels. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches a temperature of 165˚F.
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