For Fried Chicken With A Serious Crunch, Reach For This Cereal (It's Not Corn Flakes)

First impressions are quite important, so always aim to give your fried chicken the best crunch possible. Before even getting to the juicy, tender meat within, it's the crispy exterior that determines just how enjoyable the entire dish will be. Other than the typical breadcrumbs and flour coating, there may also be ingredients you probably never considered that can get the job done spectacularly well. Think cereal — not corn flakes — but another breakfast companion that's probably sitting in your pantry already: granola.

Although somewhat unexpected, this might just be one of the tastiest ways to use granola. Not to worry, this ingredient twist hardly requires any major recipe changes. Just process the cereal into chunky pieces, and you can dredge the chicken pieces in it right after they have been efficiently coated in flour and eggs. Deep-fried to perfection, the chicken takes on the granola's thick crunch. The more you eat, the more you will notice the many nuances hidden in that multi-dimensional texture. From chewy-soft oats and puffed rice to the sharp crunch of chopped nuts, no two bites are the same.

The flavors are no less sublime. Your chicken will be imbued with this breakfast delight's savory, nutty complexity and mildly toasted warmth. Caramelized by the heat, its sweet tone is even more prominent, beautifully matched by the dried fruits' sweet-tart notes. It won't overtake the taste profile entirely, just enough to give the crust a waft of aroma that elevates the savory depth within.

The great thing about granola is that it can shapeshift anytime you want. Putting together your own homemade crunchy granola is also your chance to subtly revamp the granola fried chicken. Rolled oats, chopped nuts, plant seeds, a drizzle of oil, and some sweeteners are standard in the ingredient list, but how about a touch of spice while you're at it? Ground cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg are all great for lacing in a subtle aromatic warmth. Even chili flakes, something that doesn't typically go in granola, can be wondrous for whenever this dish calls for a kick of heat.

Even with the sides, there are still ways to tie right back to the granola. Considering its fruity nuances that lurk underneath the savory layers, a fruity slaw might just be exactly what you need, even better if it's the same dried fruits you've got in your granola. And if you're someone who thinks of yogurt whenever granola is mentioned, don't hesitate to bring this excellent pairing together in your fried chicken dish. A yogurt dip or perhaps even classic tzatziki is how you balance out the fried chicken's savory richness with its light, creamy tang. For even more lightness, toss up your own go-to salad, with a couple of the same chopped nuts and seeds used in the granola to tie both components together.