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Chickies and Petes Crabfries Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken tenders or boneless chicken bites
  • 2 cups crinkle-cut fries or pre-cut fry shapes
  • 1 cup buttermilk for soaking or plain yogurt thinned with water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder optional for a little kick
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus extra to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Oil for frying vegetable or canola works best
  • Ranch mayo-thai dip, or your favorite dipping sauce
  • Optional garnish: lemon wedges chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken. Soak the chicken in buttermilk for 20–30 minutes. This makes it juicy and helps the crust cling like a loyal fan. If you’re short on time, a quick 10-minute soak still helps.
  • Mix the coating. In a bowl, whisk flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. This is your flavor fortress—keep it bold but balanced.
  • Dredge the chicken. Remove each piece from the buttermilk and coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour. Shake off the excess so you don’t end up with a greasy pelican loaf in your fryer.
  • Prep the frying setup. Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350–365°F (175–185°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test with a crumb—if it sizzles and floats, you’re in business.
  • Cook the chicken. Fry the coated chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes per batch. Don’t crowd the pan; give each piece its own spotlight.
  • Cook the fries. If you’re using frozen fries, bake or fry per package directions for a crispy result. If you’re feeling fancy, double-fry the fries: a quick 6–8 minutes to start, then a second fry after the chicken to stay extra crispy.
  • Drain and rest. Let the chicken and fries drain on paper towels for a minute, then season with a pinch more salt while they’re still hot. This seals the deal on flavor.
  • Serve hot with dips. Plate with a little lemon if you’re feeling fancy and set out ranch or your go-to dipping sauce. Sharing is optional—competitively optional.