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Crispy Hawaiian Fried Garlic Chicken Bliss

crispy hawaiian fried garlic chicken - featured image
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A quick and easy fried chicken recipe featuring a crispy garlic crust and a subtle tropical sweetness from pineapple juice, perfect for a flavorful dinner with a playful island twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 6–8 fresh garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (30g)
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice (60ml)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • About 2 cups vegetable oil (480ml) for frying
  • Optional garnish: chopped green onions or fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour in the fridge.
  2. Prepare the garlic: Thinly slice garlic cloves. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Fry garlic slices gently until golden and crispy, about 3-5 minutes, stirring often. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside the infused oil.
  3. Mix the coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
  4. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off extra flour.
  5. Heat the oil: Add remaining vegetable oil (about 1.5 cups) plus the garlic-infused oil to the skillet. Heat to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry the chicken: Place coated chicken thighs skin side down in hot oil. Fry 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Fry in batches if needed.
  7. Drain and rest: Transfer chicken to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  8. Serve: Sprinkle reserved fried garlic over chicken and garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F to avoid burning garlic or greasy chicken. Fry garlic gently and separately to get a golden crisp without bitterness. Rest chicken on a wire rack after frying to keep crust crisp. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend. Air fryer adaptation possible at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried chicken, garlic chicken, Hawaiian chicken, crispy chicken, pineapple juice marinade, easy dinner, garlic crisp

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/crispy-hawaiian-fried-garlic-chicken-bliss-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/