Forget Basic Flour: Coat Fried Chicken In This Boxed Mix For A More Flavorful Crunch Every Time

If flour is the go-to ingredient you reach for when making fried chicken at home, you may want to consider other options stocked in your kitchen cupboards. Using boxed pancake mix instead will give your next batch of fried chicken an extra tasty and crispy coating without having to put together any complicated recipes. Pancake mix contains ingredients cooks use when making coating from scratch, like flour and a leavening agent. The leavening is what helps give chicken a light, flaky crunch. 

Look for original or buttermilk pancake mix instead of a flavored variety. Sweeter mixes can distract from the natural savory taste of the chicken, and added sugar can result in a coating that turns brown quick. Since many pancake mixes contain sugar, coated chicken pieces may appear to darken more quickly than those covered in plain flour, so keep a close eye on your pan as it cooks.

To try the hack, whisk pancake mix with water to create a thin batter. Some cooks add seasoning to the liquid pancake batter for extra spice. This shouldn't look like the kind of batter you'd use to make pancakes and should appear watery. Dip seasoned chicken into the wet batter, then transfer pieces into seasoned dry pancake mix, pressing lightly so that the mix sticks to the chicken.

Since sugar is often present in pancake mix, keep oil at lower temperatures than normal, and turn pieces frequently so that the coating browns without scorching. You may need to lower the heat if the exterior darkens before the meat inside cooks and turns tender. Because the coating can look cooked before the inside meat is ready, you can use a meat thermometer to help gauge doneness. After removing cooked pieces, you'll find that the chicken's coating is crispy and flaky, and the flavor will offer a mouth-watering savory experience. It would take a sharp palate to recognize any ingredient that could end up on a breakfast spread.

Try the pancake mix method with other proteins, like chicken tenders, boneless thighs, tofu cubes, or strips of chicken breast. Home cooks have also used pancake mix to make onion rings and fried Oreos. Whether the items appear on a brunch spread or dinner table, these crispy pieces can be served with your favorite sides. Think mac and cheese, fries, cornbread, and simple green salads for a meal that is comforting and satisfying. The dipping sauce of your dreams can make this spread complete.