Oven-Fried Chicken Technique by Ina Garten
Craving a twist on your favorite chicken recipe? Swap out the beaten egg for Dijon mustard in your breading mix! This simple swap can breathe new life into your Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs or any other chicken dish, for that matter.
I recently discovered this game-changer while testing Ina Garten's Crispy Mustard-Roasted Chicken recipe. While Ina's recipe calls for whole chicken, I opted for boneless, skinless chicken thighs and shortened the baking time, resulting in crispy, flavorful chicken every time. Ina's secret ingredient? You guessed it – Dijon mustard!
Why go with Dijon mustard instead of a plain egg?
- ** enhanced flavor:** Dijon mustard adds a tangy, savory layer that you simply won't get from a beaten egg. Using an equal amount of mustard and white wine or thinning it with mayo, chicken stock, or water creates a wonderfully flavorful coating.
- improved adhesion: The wetness in a beaten egg can sometimes result in a soggy exterior. Dijon mustard, on the other hand, creates a drier surface that allows breadcrumbs to adhere more effectively, resulting in a crispier exterior.
Don't limit yourself to chicken, either! I've successfully used this technique with salmon and pork tenderloin, and you can easily switch out the chicken thighs for chicken tenderloins or strips if you prefer leaner cuts. Experiment and find your new go-to breading method!
- Southern Living's food and recipes section might have a recipe for Dijon mustard-coated fried chicken, as this unique technique has become my kitchen assistant in cooking various dishes.
- Next time you're preparing a dish like Southern Living's gooey chicken strips, consider swapping out the beaten egg for an equal amount of Dijon mustard to infuse a tangy, savory layer into the breading.
- For an interesting twist on Southern Living's fried chicken recipe, try using Dijon mustard instead of a beaten egg for improved adhesion, resulting in a crispier exterior that can elevate your fried chicken game.
- To follow in the footsteps of Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, and much-loved food personalities like Alton Brown, explore the world of Dijon mustard and its various applications in your kitchen, such as sauce-making, marinating, and even as a flavorful replacement for beaten eggs in breading recipes.
- The next time you find yourself browsing Southern Living's extensive library of food and recipes, keep an eye out for the DNL (Dijon mustard-lead) recipe for oven-fried chicken strips or any other creative recipe using this versatile ingredient – your taste buds will thank you!
