Harlem-Inspired Chicken Thighs
Harlem-Inspired Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
For the Brine
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
For the Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For Frying
- 8 cups vegetable oil, or other high smoke point oil, for deep frying
Optional for Serving
- 4 servings mashed potatoes
- as needed honey
- as needed various dipping sauces
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the brine: In a large bowl or container, combine the water, kosher salt, and granulated sugar. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Brine the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the brine, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate for 3 days. This step is crucial for extra juiciness.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Prepare the coating: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, crushed red pepper flakes, ground ginger, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly by hand until well combined.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Bread the chicken: Remove the chicken thighs directly from the brine. Do not pat them dry, as the dampness helps the dry coating adhere. Thoroughly coat each piece of chicken in the prepared dry seasoning mixture, pressing to ensure an even and thick layer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Refrigerate overnight: Place the breaded chicken on a plate or wire rack set over a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered overnight (at least 8 hours). This allows moisture to be absorbed into the exterior, creating a barrier that prevents excessive oil absorption and promotes a crispier crust during frying.
- 6
First fry: The next day, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Pour the vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of at least 3 inches. Heat the oil to 360°F (182°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 360
- 7
Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden. The moisture on the chicken's exterior will create a barrier, allowing the chicken to cook without absorbing excessive oil.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 360
- 8
Rest: Remove the chicken from the deep fryer and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and rest.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Second fry (for crispiness): Increase the deep fryer heat to 380°F (193°C). Return the chicken to the hot oil for approximately 1 minute to achieve an extra crispy exterior. This double-frying method ensures juiciness during the first fry and provides a final crisp.
⏱️ 1 min•🌡️ 380
- 10
Serve: Remove the chicken from the oil and place it back on the wire rack to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately with optional mashed potatoes, a drizzle of honey, or your favorite dipping sauces.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Harlem-Inspired Chicken Thighs
For the Brine
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
For the Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For Frying
- 8 cups vegetable oil, or other high smoke point oil, for deep frying
Optional for Serving
- 4 servings mashed potatoes
- as needed honey
- as needed various dipping sauces
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the brine: In a large bowl or container, combine the water, kosher salt, and granulated sugar. Stir until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Brine the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the brine, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate for 3 days. This step is crucial for extra juiciness.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Prepare the coating: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, crushed red pepper flakes, ground ginger, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly by hand until well combined.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Bread the chicken: Remove the chicken thighs directly from the brine. Do not pat them dry, as the dampness helps the dry coating adhere. Thoroughly coat each piece of chicken in the prepared dry seasoning mixture, pressing to ensure an even and thick layer.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Refrigerate overnight: Place the breaded chicken on a plate or wire rack set over a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered overnight (at least 8 hours). This allows moisture to be absorbed into the exterior, creating a barrier that prevents excessive oil absorption and promotes a crispier crust during frying.
- 6
First fry: The next day, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Pour the vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of at least 3 inches. Heat the oil to 360°F (182°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 360 - 7
Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden. The moisture on the chicken's exterior will create a barrier, allowing the chicken to cook without absorbing excessive oil.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 360 - 8
Rest: Remove the chicken from the deep fryer and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and rest.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Second fry (for crispiness): Increase the deep fryer heat to 380°F (193°C). Return the chicken to the hot oil for approximately 1 minute to achieve an extra crispy exterior. This double-frying method ensures juiciness during the first fry and provides a final crisp.
⏱️ 1 min•🌡️ 380 - 10
Serve: Remove the chicken from the oil and place it back on the wire rack to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately with optional mashed potatoes, a drizzle of honey, or your favorite dipping sauces.
⏱️ 1 min