There is no denying that fried chicken is one of the best comfort foods. In fact, it is an iconic dish in American cuisine.
Since the early 1800s, it has been served in homes and restaurants all around the country. That said, the original recipe is said to come from West Africa or Scotland.
Its seasoned and crispy exterior and juicy interior make for something that is delicious and comforting – all thanks to deep frying the chicken in oil.
Fried chicken seems to be an always popular dish with many global fast food chains competing to deliver the best fried chicken sandwich.
While it is great to eat out once in a while, you can also easily make your own in the comfort of your home! However, for this to work, you need the right type of oil.
With this in mind, this guide will explore everything you need to know about what to look out for in oil when you decide to fry your own chicken.
Let’s get started.
What To Consider When Choosing Oil For Deep Frying Chicken?
There are a ton of different types of oil available on the market – some are more suitable for deep frying chicken than others. If you choose the wrong oil not only can it affect your chicken’s texture but flavor, too.
Therefore, when it comes to choosing an oil for deep frying your chicken, there are three different things you want to keep in mind: the flavor, smoke point, and flavor transfer of the oil.
Below, we explore this in further detail:
- Oil Flavor – Different types of oils have a stronger flavor than others – affecting the taste of your food. When you’re frying your chicken, you’ll want flavors of the seasoning and chicken to come through. Therefore, opt for a neutral oil flavor.
- Smoke Point – Once the oil reaches a certain temperature, it begins to smoke and turn rancid. Different types of oils have different smoke points. When it comes to deep frying chicken, you’ll need a higher temperature of oil. Therefore, opt for an oil with a high smoke point to prevent it from affecting your chicken’s flavor.
- Flavor Transfer – Flavor transfer refers to the process where the flavor of your fried food remains in the oil and is then transferred into the next batch of food you’re frying. Therefore, when picking an oil, you’ll want to choose one that makes sure your chicken retains its flavor as opposed to mozzarella sticks or fried fish!
Best Oil For Fried Chicken
1. BetterBody Foods Pure Avocado Oil
If you’re looking for an oil with a neutral flavor, then you may want to avoid BetterBody Foods Pure Avocado Oil.
This is because avocado oil tends to have a slightly nutty flavor that can transfer to your chicken while frying.
That said, avocado oil tends to be suitable for pan and deep-frying chicken since it has a higher smoke point.
Plus, it is naturally refined! This means that the refining process is not achieved with chemicals but, instead, mechanically.
Since it is naturally refined, the BetterBody Food avocado oil has a longer shelf life – which is definitely a plus!
In addition to this, the oil is gluten-free, has a smooth and mild flavor – ideal for enhancing the other ingredients’ flavor –, doesn’t contain any GMOs, it is incredibly versatile, and has a smoke point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since it has a very high smoke point, the oil is considered to be one of the best for high-heat cooking and frying.
Plus, it is one of the healthiest options for those who make fried chicken often. It contains over 50% monounsaturated fats which makes it more stable for frying.
Unlike polyunsaturated fats, you don’t have to worry about monounsaturated fats reacting with oxygen when exposed to high heat which can make the oil harmful.
2. Crisco Frying Oil Blend
If you have ever watched the beautiful yet incredibly emotional movie adaption of The Help, then you’ll remember the scene where Minnie is teaching us how to make the best fried chicken. What oil is she using? Crisco!
While we don’t recommend following her exact method of using pure vegetable shortening, this frying oil that has been developed around 70 years after the movie’s setting remains one of our favorites.
It features a combination of peanut oil and soybean – making it super versatile.
Whether you’re using it to whip up some french fries, fish, a whole fried turkey, or chicken – you’ll be provided perfect results each time.
Since it has an impressive smoke point of 440 degrees Fahrenheit, it is the perfect oil for frying up a range of meats that require high temperatures to be cooked thoroughly. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any nasty smoke!
For anyone with food intolerances, this oil is gluten-free and perfect for those following a kosher diet – it is a versatile oil that makes for the perfect weapon in every chef’s arsenal.
3. LouAna Peanut Oil
The beauty of LouAna peanut oil is that it is made using 100% peanuts. Since it features a high smoke point, it is suitable for deep-frying turkey, fish, and, of course, chicken.
Peanut oil contains a flavor unlike some other types of oil, including soybean or canola oil. That said, it isn’t particularly strong.
Instead, it features a mild nutty flavor. In fact, you might not even notice it! Some people prefer this oil over any other type thanks to its light nutty flavor.
In addition to this, LouAna peanut oil is suitable for deep frying chicken since it is 100% pure and doesn’t contain any additives, there are 0 grams of trans fat per serving, and it has a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plus, peanut oil tends to be one of the cheaper oil options, too. This is certainly an important factor to consider if you’re using it to deep fry your chicken as you’ll require a lot of oil.
Despite many sources claiming that reusing oil isn’t as harmful as it is set out to be, it is a lot healthier to use fresh oil.
Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your wallet suffering if you choose the second option with peanut oil.
Another factor that makes peanut oil ideal for frying is that there is no flavor transfer when using deep frying your chicken.
Therefore, this means you can fry your onion rings, French fries, and chicken all in the same batch of oil.
4. Nutiva Organic Steam Refined Coconut Oil
Instead of some other vegetable oils, Nutiva Organic Steam Refined Coconut Oil contains more lauric acid and healthy fats – making it a healthier choice when it comes to frying.
For more than a decade, the buck of organic coconut oil has become a top-selling oil in the United States – this is for a good reason, too.
In fact, the USDA registers it as organic. Plus, it is kosher, non-GMO, contains no cholesterol and is non-hydrogenated.
The result is deliciously fried chicken without any of the guilty feelings!
It has a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While this may not be as high as some of the other oils on the list, it remains perfectly safe to fry your chicken. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about.
From this oil, you may expect a distinct coconutty flavor. However, unlike virgin coconut oil, there is no distinct smell or flavor.
Its flavor is neutral enough that you don’t have to worry about any lingering taste in your chicken.
5. Native Harvest Sunflower Oil
Another great option for anyone looking for a neutral-tasting oil. This Native Harvest sunflower oil is expeller pressed which means that no chemical solvents are used in the production.
Instead, it is extracted using an expeller press which physically squeezes out the oil. This also ensures a higher oleic content in the oil – another reason why you should purchase it as opposed to solvent-expelled sunflower oil.
The result is a sunflower oil that is healthier for you instead of conventional sunflower oil. In addition, it has lower levels of trans fats which make up for its slightly pricier price tag.
In addition to this, Native Harvest sunflower oil is a great option for deep-frying your chicken since it contains a high amount of monounsaturated fats – perfect for high-heat cooking–, features a delicate flavor, features a smoke point of 475-520 degrees Fahrenheit, and is 100% naturally derived and free of GMOs.
The beauty of sunflower oil is that it virtually has no flavor – making it the perfect option when it comes to deep frying your chicken if you want to taste the juicy chicken and crispy skin.
It also contains a high smoke point – one of the highest on this list! Since frying chicken requires high heat, you don’t have to worry about this oil burning or becoming rancid.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to achieve fried chicken that tastes as if it has come straight out of a restaurant, then you’re going to need a high-quality oil.
Besides preparation, choosing the right oil is one of the most important aspects – it can alter the entire taste of your chicken!
Therefore, it is important to keep a few factors in mind, including flavor, smoke point, and flavor transfer when picking the perfect oil for your fried chicken.
With the help of this guide, you’re sure to find the best oil for your fried chicken requirements.
