Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken Delight

This recipe for crispy beer-battered chicken offers an unparalleled combination of crispiness, tenderness, and juiciness! Perfect for outdoor summer gatherings or a delightful picnic, pairing wonderfully with potato salad and refreshing coleslaw.

Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken Recipe

Experience the epitome of comfort food with our Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken recipe. This succulent and flavorful chicken is enveloped in a delectable beer batter, providing an extra layer of crispiness and flavor depth. It’s not your ordinary fried chicken; it’s a delightful twist on a timeless favorite.

Our recipe features a distinctive batter that infuses flavor and a delightful crunch to the chicken. The carbonation in the beer renders the batter light and airy, while the yeast and malt contribute to its golden-brown hue and enrich the flavor profile.

Whether it’s for a special summer picnic or a casual weekday indulgence, this Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken promises to be the ultimate comfort food!

Why You’ll Adore This Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken Recipe

Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary flavor and texture of these drumsticks! Here’s why they’re irresistible:

Juicy + Crunchy: This chicken boasts an unparalleled combination of juiciness and crunchiness. With each bite, you’ll experience the satisfying crunch as you delve through the crispy batter into the tender chicken meat.

Tender: The yogurt marinade not only tenderizes the meat but also imparts incredible flavor.

Versatile: This recipe works wonderfully with chicken wings or legs, offering versatility in preparation.

Ideal for Summer: Fried chicken has an inherent charm that beckons for picnic baskets and outdoor gatherings. It’s equally delightful at potlucks and barbecues.

Selecting the Right Beer for the Batter

Opt for any light beer when preparing beer-battered chicken. Avoid dark or heavily flavored beers like ginger beer, stout, or porter. If you have a preferred light beer, use it for the batter and enjoy the remainder while relishing your fried chicken later.

Can Children Consume Chicken Prepared With Beer?

Absolutely! Despite the name, this recipe contains only a minimal amount of alcohol, which evaporates during the frying process. These crispy and tender chicken legs are sure to be a hit with the little ones!

Instructions for Making Crispy Beer-Battered Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken: Prepare a quick yogurt marinade, add the chicken, and let it marinate on the counter for 4 hours.
2. Prepare the beer batter: As the chicken nears the end of its marinating time, prepare the beer batter and heat the oil.
3. Coat the chicken in batter and fry: Coat the chicken pieces in batter and fry them in batches until golden brown, turning once. This typically takes about 20 minutes.
4. Drain and serve: Allow the fried chicken to drain on paper towels before serving.

Exploring the Yogurt Marinade’s Benefits

Marinating the chicken in yogurt before frying yields remarkable results. The yogurt tenderizes the chicken, resulting in meat so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Additionally, the yogurt adds flavor as its proteins and sugars caramelize during the cooking process, enhancing the overall taste of the fried chicken.

Storage Guidelines

Refrigerator: Once the chicken reaches room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezer: For freezing, arrange the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer the pieces to a freezer-safe container, ensuring to label it with the date. Frozen beer-battered chicken can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating Instructions

While fried chicken is delightful when consumed cold, reheating can restore its warmth and crispiness:

• Microwave: Reheat individual servings in the microwave until warm, approximately 1 to 1.5 minutes. Note that microwaving may compromise the chicken’s crispiness.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through, preserving its crispiness.
• Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C), then reheat the chicken for 5 minutes. Flip the pieces halfway through to ensure even reheating and crispiness retention.

For both oven and air fryer methods, allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before reheating to ensure tenderness. Additionally, this resting period relaxes the meat’s proteins, contributing to a tender texture.

Ingredients

For the Yogurt Mixture

• 3 cups plain yogurt
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (at least 1/2 tablespoon)
• 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 10 to 12 chicken drumsticks

For the Beer Batter

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons onion salt
• 3 teaspoons garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 12 ounces light beer
• 2 to 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
2. Add chicken to the yogurt mixture and let it marinate on the counter for 1 hour or in the fridge for up to 4 hours.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together flour, onion salt, garlic powder, cayenne, and ground pepper. Gradually whisk in beer until smooth.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep pot or skillet to 350-375°F (175-190°C), ensuring enough oil to cover chicken halfway.
5. Prepare a serving plate lined with paper towels and set aside.
6. Remove chicken from yogurt mixture and pat dry with paper towels.
7. If refrigerated, allow chicken to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
8. Dip chicken in beer batter, coating evenly; drain excess batter and carefully add chicken to hot oil.
9. Fry chicken in batches, turning once, until golden, about 20 minutes.
10. Transfer fried chicken to paper towel-lined plate; let stand for 7-10 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F (175-190°C) for optimal frying results.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Season fried chicken with additional salt immediately after frying for enhanced flavor.
• Exercise caution when working with hot oil, using long-handled utensils to lower chicken into the oil and preventing oil splatters.