Description
Crispy golden pan-fried chicken delights bring Mediterranean flavors right to your kitchen. Succulent herbs and spices create a mouthwatering meal that invites you to savor each perfectly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) chicken with bones
Marinade Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon calamansi extract or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chicken powder or magic sarap
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
Coating and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (plus extra for coating)
- 1/2 chicken cube seasoning
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, sliced
Instructions
- Infuse chicken with a robust marinade of soy sauce, calamansi or lemon juice, oyster sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, chicken powder, and minced ginger. Allow flavors to penetrate for a minimum of 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Create a flavor base by dissolving half a chicken cube in hot water, ensuring complete integration.
- Generously coat each marinated chicken piece with a light, even layer of cornstarch, creating a crisp exterior.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 350°F. Carefully place chicken pieces and fry until achieving a rich, golden-brown color, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, maintaining its crispiness.
- In the same pan, sauté minced garlic and chopped onions until they release their aromatic essence and turn translucent.
- Return chicken to the pan, pour the dissolved chicken cube mixture, and gently toss to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the savory sauce.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the chicken, creating a glossy, flavor-packed finish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by marinating chicken for longer, ideally 2-3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper taste penetration.
- Ensure cornstarch coating is even and light to achieve crispy, golden exterior without heavy breading.
- Use fresh citrus like calamansi or lemon for brighter, more vibrant flavor profile that cuts through the richness of the chicken.
- For gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free chicken powder or skip powder entirely.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg