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Hawaiian Garlic Fried Chicken

Hawaiian Garlic Fried Chicken

Hawaiian Garlic Fried Chicken is a quick and easy dish featuring juicy, bone-in chicken pieces marinated in a bold garlic and tropical pineapple juice marinade, then coated with a crispy flour and cornstarch crust. This dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a satisfying crunch, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For Frying and Seasoning

  • Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. Stir well until the sugar dissolves, creating a sweet and tangy marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, though marinating for an hour or more is recommended for deeper flavor.
  3. Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to create the crispy coating mixture.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off slightly. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture until completely coated. For extra crispiness, dip back briefly into the marinade and coat again with the flour mixture.
  5. Heat the Oil and Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry for approximately 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
  6. Drain and Serve: Remove the chicken from oil and set on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess grease. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for at least one hour or overnight for enhanced flavor.
  • Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even cooking and avoid greasiness.
  • Pat chicken dry before coating to help the crust adhere and prevent sogginess.
  • Do not overcrowd the frying pan; fry in batches to keep oil temperature steady.
  • Rest fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep it crispy.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece (thigh or drumstick)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Hawaiian garlic fried chicken, crispy fried chicken, tropical chicken recipe, garlic chicken, pineapple marinade, gluten free fried chicken