How to Cook Chicken on the Stove Using Frito Chips Instead of Bread Crumbs

Corn chips make crisp, golden brown fried chicken.

Toasted breadcrumbs make a crunchy coating for chicken, but Fritos corn chips are even crispier. A simple breading made of crushed corn chips is an especially flavorful coating for pan-fried chicken made on your stove top. To create a spicier breading, use chili-cheese Fritos or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder. Serve the crispy chicken with a side vegetable and mashed potatoes for a hearty, complete meal. Does this Spark an idea?

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2 cups Fritos corn chips
Resealable plastic bag
Rolling pin
Shallow dish
1 to 2 cups of shortening
Heavy skillet or frying pan
1 large egg
Shallow bowl or pie pan
Fork
1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
1 large frying chicken, cut into pieces
Paper towels
Meat thermometer
Rack
Baking sheet

Instructions

- 1
  
  Place the Fritos corn chips in a large resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush the chips to fine crumbs. Place the crushed corn chips in a shallow dish.
- 2
  
  Melt the shortening in a heavy skillet or frying pan, using enough to cover the bottom of the pan with 1/3 to 1/2 inch of oil when the shortening is melted. If you're concerned about the fat content of your chicken, use canola or olive oil. However, shortening makes crispier chicken.
- 3
  
  Crack an egg into a shallow bowl or pie pan. Whip the egg lightly with a fork. Add the milk or buttermilk, and then blend well.
- 4
  
  Rinse the chicken pieces under cool water, and then pat them dry with a paper towel.
- 5
  
  Dip a chicken piece in the egg and milk mixture, and then coat the piece with crushed corn chips.
- 6
  
  Place the coated chicken pieces on a piece of waxed paper. Repeat until all of the chicken pieces are coated.
- 7
  
  Test the temperature of the hot oil, using a meat thermometer. The shortening should be very hot -- about 355 degrees Fahrenheit. Using cooler oil results in greasy, soggy chicken.
- 8
  
  Place a few of the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil. Leave space between each piece because crowding the pan causes the temperature of the oil to drop. Check the temperature of the oil every few minutes, and adjust the heat accordingly.
- 9
  
  Fry the chicken on one side until it's golden brown. Use tongs to flip the chicken, and then cook the other side. Insert a meat thermometer into the chicken to ensure the meat is safely cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 10
  
  Place a rack on a baking sheet. Place the fried chicken pieces on the rack to drain. Continue until all of the chicken pieces are fried.