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When I started thinking about recreating a classic ultimate fried chicken I knew I had to hit all the standards of what makes a good fried chicken: crunch on the outside, just the right flavor and spices, and juicy and tender on the inside. And of course it needed to be gluten-free! I’ve got to be honest, I think this one checks all of those boxes and then some!
Gluten-Free Fried Chicken
We took a classic approach of triple coating the chicken, using arrowroot, eggs and almond flour. This allows the coating to cling nicely to the chicken and creates an incredibly crunchy exterior!
We loved the deep crunch we got when it was deep fried, but also equally delicious was when it was cooked in the air fryer and baked in the oven. We’ve included all the recipes so you can choose which method works best for your family.
Choose from:
- Air fryer method
- Frying method
- Baking method
When I was in Nashville, we ate Hattie B’s fried chicken (no, not gluten-free or remotely healthy) and I fell in love, but our stomachs weren’t so happy with us, since we don’t normally eat that way. I knew I needed to come back and recreate that hot chicken, only cleaned up, of course!
Ready to make the ultimate southern dinner? Here is the menu:
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob + Southern Butter
- Classic Mashed Potatoes
- Gluten-Free Gravy
- Collard Greens
- Fried Chicken (Hot or Not)
And tomorrow, a full round-up plus a shopping list will be on the blog for your convenience!!!
Ultimate Fried Chicken (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1-4 lb. chicken cut to 10 pieces see note
- 1 cup arrowroot flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups almond flour sifted
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme crumbled
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 cups avocado oil for frying method (see note)
- avocado oil spray for baking and air frying
To Make Hot Fried Chicken (only with deep fried chicken):
- 4 tablespoons cayenne
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup hot avocado oil from frying
Instructions
- Begin by setting up your dredging station for the chicken with three shallow bowls. In one bowl place the arrowroot flour. In the second whisk 3 eggs to combine. In the third bowl whisk together the sifted almond flour and spices until combined.
- Dredge all chicken pieces in arrowroot, then eggs, and finally in the almond flour mixture, taking care to coat the chicken really well. Place chicken on a plate and let sit while the oil is getting hot.
Deep Frying Directions:
- Heat avocado oil over medium to medium-high heat in a heavy bottomed tall dutch oven or similar pot. Heat oil until it reaches 325º. We recommend you use an instant read thermometer or candy thermometer to check the oil temperature.
- Place 3-4 pieces of chicken in the pot at a time to fry, being careful not to overcrowd so that the oil temperature stays consistent. Fry, flipping once around 10 minutes, until the chicken reaches at least 165º, about 15-20 minutes depending on the specific cut of chicken.
- Place chicken on a plate lined with paper towel to drain the excess oil and season with salt.
- Before placing more chicken in the pot, check the temperature to make sure it is 325º. Adjust the heat setting to maintain the temperature and when ready add more chicken.
- Fry until no chicken remains. Serve immediately.
- If making the Hot Chicken let the frying oil cool 5-10 minutes. In a small bowl whisk spices together. Add one cup of avocado frying oil to the bowl and whisk to combine. Brush hot mixture on to both sides of the chicken and serve immediately.
Air Frying Directions:
- Pre-heat air fryer to 390ºF.
- Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray and place 2-3 pieces of chicken in the basket. Spray the chicken as well.
- Cook at 390ºF for 12 minutes and then flip the chicken, spraying with additional avocado oil. Cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Continue with remaining chicken until it has all cooked through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken to make sure it has reached 165, especially larger pieces like the breast.
Baking directions:
- Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF and place an oven safe wire rack on rimmed baking sheet.
- Place chicken on wire rack, with plenty of space in between and spray liberally with avocado oil spray. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and spray with additional avocado oil and continue to bake until all chicken is cooked through, 15-20 minutes more. Check to make sure an internal temperature of the meat (close to the bone) reaches at least 165ºF.
Notes
Nutrition
That was the best chicken leg I’ve had in ages. It was so moist! It was so flavorful. My kids loved it. I have never felt so satisfied eating fried chicken I’ve made. I added olive oil and butter in the pan to get the crust. Then I baked it for 25 min in my toaster oven. Super super moist. Thank you for this! I have never done the arrowroot powder before. I use it all the time for baking. So I always have it on hand. Thank you so much!!
I made this and used the air fryer and the oven, splitting up the pieces between the two methods (testing my new air fryer). Both ways the “breading” stuck on the bottom of the rack and the chicken pieces lost their coating. Is there something to be done to prevent that?
Otherwise, delish!
Talk about comfort food…you nailed it!
I’ve loved this series and I can’t wait to make this chicken ??