When done right, deep-frying chicken can make it taste great and get crispy. But the key to getting the best texture and flavor is to get the oil temperature and cook times right. So how long does it take to deep fry chicken at 375°F? Here’s a list of all the chicken cuts that can be fried at that temperature.
Why 375°F for Frying Chicken?
Most recipes recommend frying chicken between 350-375°F. This high heat helps the batter or breading crisp up immediately so the chicken doesn’t absorb excess oil. 375°F is on the hotter end of the frying temperature range, which is ideal for chicken since it needs to cook through completely. At 375°F, the outside will cook quickly while the inside reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Chicken that soaks up too much oil when fried at a lower temperature may turn out greasy. It might be tempting to turn the heat up above 375°F to get extra-crispy chicken, but the outside can burn before the inside is fully cooked.
So 375°F gives the best of both worlds – crispy exterior and fully cooked interior. It’s the optimal temperature for fried chicken success!
Frying Times for Chicken at 375°F
Frying times can vary based on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Here are general guidelines for how long different cuts of chicken take to fry at 375°F:
- Chicken wings: 8-10 minutes
- Chicken drums and thighs: 12-15 minutes
- Boneless chicken thighs: 7-9 minutes
- Chicken breasts: 5-7 minutes for thin cutlets, up to 10 minutes for thick breasts
- Chicken nuggets/tenders: 2-5 minutes depending on thickness
For chicken on the bone, aim for an internal temperature of 165°F before removing from oil Boneless pieces only need to reach 155°F
Tips for Crispy Fried Chicken
Follow these tips for maximizing the crispiness of your fried chicken:
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Use a thermometer – This takes the guesswork out of determining when the oil is ready Heat oil to 375°F before adding chicken
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Don’t overcrowd the pan – Adding too much chicken at once causes the temperature to drop, resulting in soggy chicken. Fry in batches.
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Let the oil heat up again between batches—Let the oil reach 375°F again before adding the next batch.
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Pat chicken dry – Dredge chicken in flour or batter just before frying. Any excess moisture will make it soggy.
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Fry a test piece first—Fry one piece before committing the whole batch. This allows you to adjust cook time if needed.
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Use a wire rack – Drain fried chicken on a wire rack over a pan instead of paper towels. This allows air circulation to keep the crust crispy.
How Long Does Fried Chicken Last?
Freshly fried chicken is best consumed right away for maximum crispness. But leftovers will keep in the fridge 3-4 days. Reheating in a 375°F oven until warmed through (10-15 minutes) yields better results than the microwave, which makes it soggy.
For longer storage, fried chicken can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
So next time you’re frying up some chicken for dinner, set the oil to 375°F and use the frying time guidelines here for perfect results every time. With the ideal frying temperature dialed in, you’ll enjoy juicy, crispy fried chicken in minutes.
Step 1: Dredge the chicken drumsticks
Taste of Home
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
Taste of Home
Place the chicken in the flour mixture, a few pieces at a time. Turn to coat them, shaking off any excess. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture. Finish by coating the chicken again in the flour mixture.
Editor’s Tip: Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the flour mixture. The dryer the chicken is, the better the flour will adhere. This results in a crispy coating that won’t fall off when you eat the fried chicken.
How Long to Fry Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°. However, dark meat chicken tastes better when it reaches at least 175°. Personally, I like my chicken drumsticks closer to 190° so they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. It can be challenging to check the internal temperature of chicken drumsticks, though. You need to probe the thickest part of the meat without hitting bone—and drumsticks have a huge bone running down the center.
If you can’t get an accurate reading with a meat thermometer, you can rely on your senses to know when the chicken is finished frying. When you remove the drumsticks from the deep fryer, look at the meat around the skinny side of the leg. Cooked meat will shrink away from the bone, so you should see a lot more bone than when you started cooking. You can also cut into the chicken to see if the juices run clear.
- Cover it in cornmeal. For an extra-crunchy twist, try the breading from our cornmeal fried chicken recipe.
- Change to chicken thighs: Use the other half of the chicken leg quarter to make fried chicken thighs.
- Make more: For a party or backyard barbecue, double or triple the recipe. Use our chicken cooking tips for a big group. They include ways to keep the chicken warm and crispy while you fry it all at once.
How long does it take to deep fry chicken legs at 350 degrees?
FAQ
How long do you deep fry chicken at 375 degrees?
Coat chicken in flour, then eggs, and then bread crumbs, one piece at a time, and set aside. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry chicken in small batches until the pieces are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken to drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
How long to deep fry chicken legs at 375 degrees?
In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 375°. Four to six pieces of chicken should be fried at a time until they are golden brown and the juices run clear. This should take seven to eight minutes on each side. Drain the fried chicken drumsticks on paper towels before serving.
How long does a deep fryer take to get to 375 degrees?
Depending on the outside temperature, it should take around 30 minutes for the frying oil to reach 375°. Stay close by; you don’t want the temperature to exceed 450°F. 3.
Is 375 too hot to fry chicken?
Use a thermometer to make sure the oil is just right. The ideal temperature to fry chicken is typically between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C). This temperature range lets the chicken cook all the way through on the inside while getting the outside crispy and golden brown.