San Diego-Inspired Smoky Chipotle Hot Chicken Recipe
After a pickle-brine marinade, the dredged chicken is pan-fried and tossed in San Diego Sauce. Smoky chipotle and garlic flavor makes this recipe irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1-2 lb Chicken Breast cut length-wise into thick strips
- 1/4 cup Pickle juice for brining
- 3 oz San Diego Sauce
- 1-2 cups Buttermilk (egg wash can substitute)
- 2 cups Flour Any (I used all purpose)
- Oil To fill about 2 inches or so on a cast iron pan or skillet
- as desired Seasonings Black Pepper, garlic powder, salt
OPTIONAL
- Cornstarch helps give the chicken a perfect crisp, but can be omitted in a pinch
- 1 tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar if you want to add sweetness to the sauce coating, mix with San Diego Sauce
- 1 tbsp Melted Butter If you want to add richness to the sauce coating
- Additional spices to taste Adding Cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to the brine and flour helps flavor the chicken
Instructions
- Grab a large ziplock bag (or mixing bowl) and add your chicken and pickle brine. seal/cover and refrigerate for an hour. (optional but recomended).
- Heat your skillet/cast iron pan and oil to 375 degrees on Medium high. Keep watch to avoid overheating.
- In a mixing bowl, pour buttermilk (or egg/water combo). Optionally, you can add additional spices (or San Diego Sauce) to the wet ingredient bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch (optional), and seasoning. Mix well.
- One at a time, dunk the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then the buttermilk, then back in the flour mixture.
- Place the chicken in the oil and lay it out away from you (you don’t want hot oil to splash at you). Use tongs to move the chicken after a minute or so to avoid sticking to the pan. Fry until golden brown and then flip. Each side will usually be about 5-7 minutes.
- Use tongs to place the chicken on a clean rack to cool. Optionally, you can place the chicken in the oven at 250 to keep warm, if you are making a large batch.
- Using a basting brush, evenly coat each piece of chicken with the San Diego Sauce (optionally mixed with melted butter and honey)
- Enjoy!