If you’ve been ordering the same old fried chicken every time you go out to eat, why not shake things up for a change? The next time you see broasted chicken on the menu, give it a shot.
But before you do, you may want to know: what is broasted chicken? For many, there isn’t a difference between the broasted and fried chicken. But we know better, and we’re going to spill the beans on the difference between the broasted and fried chicken.
And that’s not all! This article will show you how broasted chicken is made, its backstory, and even how you can replicate the recipe at home.
What is Broasted Chicken? Broasted Chicken Meaning
When you look at a piece of perfect chicken thigh in all its crispy golden-brown glory, you might assume it’s just good old fried chicken. But broasted chicken is made differently, and this results in a dish that is its own thing.
Broasted chicken is made by frying chicken in a pressure cooker. While there isn’t exactly a precise definition, broasted chicken can be identified by a super crunchy coating, with moist and juicy meat. Moreover, it has a distinct salty and savory flavor.
Pressure cookers meant for frying things are called pressure fryers. Broasted chicken pressure cookers or fryers have been trademarked as broasters and are manufactured in Minnesota.
But broasted chicken is more than just pressure-fried chicken. Authentic broasted chicken uses a secret blend of spices to marinate the meat, and a special batter is used to create the perfect crunchy exterior.
Want to know what else sets broasted chicken apart from other popular chicken dishes? Broasted chicken calories are much lower than BBQ or fried chicken. This is because pressure frying needs a lot less oil. As the chicken is fried under high pressure, it cooks more quickly and absorbs less oil.
The result? A much crunchier exterior without all the oil. Moreover, this flash cooking also prevents much of the chicken’s moisture from evaporating, so the insides will be softer and juicier. Also, carbs in the broasted chicken are fewer, as the batter is light and airy.
Where can one find the best broasted chicken? Believe it or not, Minnesota isn’t the only place with great broasted chicken. Broasted chicken is extremely popular in South Asia and the Middle East, with countless chains-stores and local restaurants selling the dish.
So, there’s a good chance you’ll taste the best broasted chicken of your life in a little joint in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Pakistan.
But if you don’t want to travel so far for some chicken, just search ‘Where can I buy broasted chicken?’ and Yelp will show you where to go.
Is Broasted Chicken Healthy？
Broasted Chicken is the perfect food if you’re looking for high-quality, delicious protein with no trans fats. A 3 ounce serving of breast meat contains 43 grams! The smaller cuts also contain plenty – 14 through 24g per wing up to thighs depending on how they are cooked (cooked ascending).
Broasted vs Fried Chicken vs Roasted chicken
If you’re still confused about the difference between broasted and fried chicken, this will clear things up once and for all. The broasted chicken vs. fried chicken debacle is actually pretty straightforward.
Fried chicken is made by deep-frying chicken in a Dutch oven, wok, or even a wide saucepan. For commercial purposes, a deep fryer is used. The process uses a lot of oil and takes a bit of extra time to give the chicken that signature golden outside and the crunch we all love.
Broasted chicken is made by deep-frying in a pressure fryer. For this purpose, you must use a Broaster which is a pressure fryer solely meant for making broasted chicken.
Making instant pot broasted chicken is literally impossible because instant pots do not reach the target temperature needed to make broasted chicken. The process uses less oil while increasing the crisp factor and is nice and soft on the inside.
On the other hand, roasted chicken is made by, you guessed it, roasting chicken at a slightly lower temperature in the oven. This means that the process takes much longer than frying or broasting chicken.
Also, roasted chicken is much less crispy than fried or broasted chicken. The surface is nice and browned, but there isn’t much of a crunch. This is because there is no breading or batter that coats the roasted chicken.
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How is Chicken Broasted? Chicken Recipe
Want to know how to make broasted chicken? Before we get started, here’s a disclaimer: do not try making broasted chicken at home in your pressure cooker or instant pot. As you now know the answer to ‘how is broasted chicken made?’ you know that a pressure fryer is required.
Making fried chicken in a regular pressure cooker can be dangerous. So caution is advised.
Making Broast Chicken in a Pressure Fryer:
If you have one already, this broasted chicken recipe will become an instant favorite!
What You Need:
- A big whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- One egg white
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp onion
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/3 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- 4 cups of buttermilk
- Salt to taste
What You Need to Do:
- Start by patting your chicken pieces dry and set them aside.
- Mix all the dry spice powders and seasonings.
- Pour your buttermilk into a very large bowl. Add half a teaspoon of your seasoning mix to the buttermilk.
- Add your chicken into the buttermilk bath and cover with plastic wrap. Let the chicken marinate for at least 6 hours and overnight at most.
- After you are done marinating the chicken, take out the pieces and allow them to drain completely.
- Then mix the remaining seasoning into your flour. Then, beat your egg whites until it is smooth and runny.
- Dip your chicken pieces into the flour and spice mix, making sure they are completely coated.
- Then, quickly dip each piece into the eggs white, before dipping into the flour again. This process of double-dipping the chicken in flour will lead to a crispier coating.
- Lay the pieces of chicken onto a large tray or baking sheet and refrigerate for an hour.
- Add the oil to your pressure fryer and eat up to 360F.
- Drop your chicken pieces into the cooker without crowding them and close the lid.
- After 7-8 minutes, open the pressure cooker lid and check to see if the chicken is cooked through. If they are still a little raw, continue cooking them for an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Once they are all cooked through, set the chicken pieces on a kitchen towel to absorb extra oil. Wait 3-5 minutes and your broasted chicken is ready to serve.
Oven-Broasted Chicken:
Maybe you don’t have a pressure fryer or professional broaster. This section will look at how to make broasted chicken in the oven. And believe it or not, it’s just as crispy when done right!
What You Need:
- 8 large pieces of chicken
- 1⁄3 cup vegetable oil
- 1⁄3 cup butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
What You Need to Do:
- Preheat your oven to 375F.
- Melt your butter in a saucepan, then pour into your cooking dish with the oil, before setting aside.
- In a large Ziploc container, combine your flour and spices.
- Roll the chicken pieces in butter and oil mix then drop into your Ziploc bag and shake until the pieces are completely coated.
- Leave the remaining butter and oil in the pan, then place the chicken pieces skin-side down.
- Bake the chicken in the oiled pan at 375F for 40-45 minutes.
- Turn chicken pieces over and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes longer or until the crust starts sizzling. Your chicken should have a thin coating that is very crunchy and flavorful.
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Any Questions?
This section answers any questions you might have about broasted chicken.
01. Why is It Called Broasted Chicken?
No one is sure why the founder of the first pressure fryer named his invention broasted chicken or broaster. Either way, these are the names he used to trademark his inventions, and the name has stuck to this day.
02. Why Does Broasted Chicken Taste Good?
This kind of chicken tastes better because it is crunchier, yet less dry than fried chicken. Some of the magic also lies in the secret mix of herbs and spices used by authentic broasted chicken joints.
03. Is Broasted Chicken Healthier Than Fried Chicken?
Because the process of making broasted chicken uses less oil, it is considered healthier than fried chicken.
04. Is Broasted Chicken Better Than Fried Chicken?
While this is a matter of personal preference, most people who have tried both enjoy broasted chicken much more than fried chicken.
05. Is Broasted Chicken Breaded or Battered?
Broasted chicken is coated with a relatively runny batter. It isn’t covered in breadcrumbs or dry flour, which results in an evenly coated, extremely crispy exterior.
Final Say
The rise of broasted chicken is a wonder to look back on. Born in the Midwest, this chicken dish first took the Middle East and South Asia by storm. Now, it is consumed everywhere and people no longer need to ask: ‘what is broasted chicken?’
So why not hop on this bandwagon and savor the crunchiest chicken the world has ever seen? You’ll certainly be back many, many, times in the future!
