Ingredients
Method
- Trim the extra fat from the chicken pieces and rinse them with lemon juice or vinegar. Pat them dry and place them in a large bowl.
- Add chicken seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, sliced onion, bell pepper strips, thyme, green onions, and habanero to the chicken.
- Combine the ingredients, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or ideally overnight for a more flavorful outcome.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, chicken seasoning, salt, curry powder, and 1-2 tablespoons of baking powder for extra crispiness.
- Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and then dip each chicken piece into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Dip the coated chicken in a bowl of water and coat it again in the seasoned flour. This double coating creates a thicker and crispier crust. Shake off excess flour.
- In a large pan or deep fryer over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring that you don't overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for 10-20 minutes or until the skin turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Once the chicken is cooked, place it on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve the Jamaican fried chicken hot, garnished with additional green onions or a wedge of lime. Pair with traditional Jamaican sides like rice and peas, coleslaw, plantains, or a fresh tropical salsa for a complete and delightful meal.
Notes
Chicken pieces with skin & bones: You can certainly use boneless, skinless chicken pieces if you like.
Chicken seasoning: Chicken seasoning is a blend of various spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and herbs like thyme and parsley. It adds depth of flavor and enhances the taste of the chicken. If you don't have chicken seasoning, you can use a blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs like thyme or oregano.
Smoked Paprika: It adds a mild, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor to the chicken. It also gives the chicken a vibrant color. If you don't have paprika, you can use chili powder for a bit of heat or not use it at all.
Onion powder: Onion powder gives the chicken a subtle onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions. It also adds depth to the seasoning blend and complements the other spices.
Salt and black pepper: Salt enhances the natural flavors of the chicken, while black pepper adds a bit of heat and depth to it. Adjust the amounts according to your personal taste.
Minced garlic: Minced garlic adds a savory flavor to the chicken. You can use garlic powder as a substitute.
Small onion and bell pepper: These vegetables add sweetness, texture, and color to the dish. They complement the savory flavors of the chicken. I used a red onion and a green bell pepper, but you can use different varieties of onions and bell peppers.
Thyme and green onions: Thyme and green onions add even more flavor to the chicken. You can use other fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro as substitutes for thyme, and chives or shallots instead of green onions.
Habanero or hot sauce: Habanero adds heat and a fruity flavor to the chicken, while hot sauce adds spice and tanginess to it. Habanero peppers tend to be very spicy, so please don't use too many of them. You can use other types of chili peppers or hot sauces if you like.
Baking Powder: Baking powder enhances the crispiness of the chicken coating by creating a lighter, airier texture. Self-rising flour, beer, carbonated water, cornstarch, and baking soda can be used as alternatives.