Skip to main content

Crispy Curry Fried Chicken

Cooks' Note

Quadruple the spice mix recipe and store it for up to 6 months in an airtight container.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons curry powder, such as Madras
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon celery seed or ground cardamom
1 tablespoon grated lime zest plus 8 wedges of lime
1 cup whole-fat plain yogurt
1 whole chicken, cut for frying into 8 pieces
Salt and pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable, safflower, or peanut oil, for frying

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a small bowl, mix together the curry, chili powder, onion and garlic powders, poultry seasoning, celery seed or ground cardamom, and lime zest, and set aside.

    Step 2

    Combine half of the spice mixture with the yogurt. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken with the yogurt. This can be done as much as 24 hours ahead. Keep the chicken, covered, in the refrigerator until about 30 minutes before you are ready to cook it.

    Step 3

    Place the flour in a large brown paper sack, add the remainder of the spice mix to it, and shake the bag. Add 4 chicken pieces and shake to coat.

    Step 4

    In a large pot at least five inches high, heat 2 1/2 to 3 inches of frying oil over medium to medium-high heat. Insert the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil. If rapid bubbles come out and away from the handle, the oil is ready. Fry the 4 pieces of coated chicken for 12 minutes, turning once. Coat the remaining chicken while the first batch fries up. Cool the chicken on a rack and sprinkle with a little extra salt. Allow the oil to heat back up for a minute or two, then fry the second batch. Serve with the lime wedges to squirt over the crispy curry chicken.

Rachael Ray's Look + Cook
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
This vibrant cilantro pesto recipe blends blanched herbs, Cotija cheese, garlic, and toasted pepitas. Toss with pasta for a fresh and bold spaghetti pesto.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.