We will all agree that fried hen is without doubt one of the most scrumptious meals ever created, particularly Southern-style fried hen. However generally you may’t eat all of it – don’t fret although, you may freeze fried hen!
The most typical sort of fried hen is southern-fried, because of Colonel Sanders. In reality, a examine discovered that round 178.98 million Individuals consumed fried hen in 2020!
However do you know that southern fried hen as we all know it was created by combining Scottish and West African cooking strategies? The frying of hen in some form of crispy coating can truly be discovered in lots of cultures the world over though on this submit we’re primarily focussing on bone-in fried hen.
One other actually well-known fried hen possibility is Korean fried hen the place the fried hen items are sometimes tossed in a wide range of sauces or seasonings. It is also also known as KFC which may create just a little confusion with the Colonel’s hen within the west.
For home made fried hen, I like to make use of this recipe which is at all times one among my hottest with readers too.
It’s simple to see why so many individuals love fried hen. While you get good, golden, tender and crispy coated fried hen, there’s nothing extra irresistible. So there are not often any leftovers in my home! And when there are, I need to save them!
Whereas fried hen is at all times greatest recent from the fryer, you may freeze fried hen safely. So right here’s one of the best ways to freeze fried hen and a few suggestions for how one can defrost it safely.
Easy methods to freeze fried hen
Easy methods to put together fried hen for the freezer
First, it’s essential wait to your fried hen to chill down – do not freeze it heat.
You shouldn’t put heat meals within the freezer as it may well increase the temperature of the freezer, inflicting different frozen meals to partially defrost and refreeze. This thawing and freezing can impression the style and texture of some meals.
Equally, if you happen to freeze your hen heat, condensation will most probably construct up within the container and impression the freezing.
So when your hen has correctly cooled, you need to place the leftover items right into a container, layered between sheets of baking paper.
These layers of baking paper will cease the hen items from sticking collectively. So you can take out and defrost items as you want them, or if you happen to’re defrosting all your hen items, it helps them to defrost extra evenly.
How lengthy are you able to freeze fried hen for?
As soon as your fried hen has cooled down, you may place it right into a container as directed above and retailer it for as much as 4 months within the freezer.
Nevertheless, the longer it is within the freezer, the much less tasty it can change into – so it is best to eat it recent or inside a month of freezing.
What’s the greatest container to retailer frozen fried hen?
One of the best container for storing your fried hen is an hermetic container that stays securely closed. You may at all times discover lunch bins and safe containers in supermarkets or on Amazon.
I like this hermetic container because it has a locking lid that may keep in place even because the container is jostled round in a freezer.
It is vital to guard frozen meat from being uncovered to air within the freezer, as that is how freezer burn develops.
As I stated, I discover it greatest to layer items of hen between sheets of baking paper. This it stops them from sticking collectively and likewise helps scale back freezer burn.
What’s freezer burn?
Freezer burn is the frosty layer that types on frozen meals as water loss happens. The method is kind of like evaporation, besides it’s as a result of chilly temperature, quite than superheating water.
When water escapes the freezing meals because it’s drawn into the air, it freezes in mid-air and types a frosty layer. So if you happen to scale back the quantity of air within the container, there’s much less probability the water out of your meals might be drawn out because it freezes.
Meat that has developed freezer burn tends to change into more durable as a result of it has misplaced water and the feel alters. So it’s important to stop freezer burn from forming in your fried hen if you need your hen to remain in good situation.
Easy methods to defrost frozen fried hen?
One of the best ways to defrost hen is to switch it from the freezer to an hermetic container within the fridge. Then go away it to defrost in a single day or for a minimum of 8 hours.
You shouldn’t prepare dinner your hen from frozen, as you run the chance of not heating it by means of to the centre. In case your hen is heated however not sizzling sufficient to neutralise the micro organism, you’re prone to severe meals poisoning.
Meals poisoning can have an effect on individuals to various levels, however individuals in weak teams are particularly in danger. So if you happen to or the particular person you’re cooking for is pregnant, an older particular person, a younger youngster or somebody residing with well being circumstances, you need to keep away from serving them reheated meals.
Can I reheat defrosted fried hen?
Fried hen might be eaten chilly in sandwiches and salads, however you may reheat it if you happen to desire.
Reheating cooked meat is dangerous however it may be performed. You simply must guarantee that it’s totally and evenly heated all through to the centre.
Utilizing a microwave might be unpredictable, as microwaves don’t warmth meals evenly. Uneven heating can result in cool pockets in your hen the place micro organism may develop.
So I discover utilizing the oven is one of the best ways to evenly reheat hen. Additionally, it provides your hen a stunning crispy pores and skin. Relying on the scale of the piece, round quarter-hour on 200°C ought to work for fried hen. Although be sure that it’s piping sizzling by means of to the centre earlier than consuming.
It is most secure to make use of a meat thermometer/probe to examine your hen is heated to a secure temperature. You may normally discover meat probes within the kitchen part of a grocery store or on Amazon.
Reheated hen ought to attain an inner temperature of 165°C in order that micro organism can’t survive. So if you happen to’re utilizing a probe guarantee that your hen is at this secure temperature.
I reheat hen in foil at the beginning of baking, then uncover it for the final 5 minutes for a crispy coating.
What can I make with frozen fried hen?
There are such a lot of methods you may eat fried hen as soon as it’s reheated.
Take the hen and pores and skin off the bone, minimize into bit measurement items and use a topping for pizzas or salad. I like this Joe Wicks 10 Minute Speedy Greek Rooster Salad.
Take it off the bone however go away it complete and serve in burger baps together with your favorite topping. Or make a membership sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato and lashings of mayonnaise.
Serve it complete with chips, or combine it up with parsnip or courgette fries. Add a facet of coleslaw and a few recent corn on the cob and even mac and cheese and you’ve got your self a scrumptious southern fashion meal.
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