FLASH-FRIED FINGER-LICKIN’ CHICKEN

- 3 cups low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt
- 4 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 quarts grapeseed oil
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1½ teaspoons celery salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
Instructions:
Flash frying is a high-heat deep-frying technique used to rapidly brown small pieces of quick-cooking food such as tiny calamari or small shrimp to avoid overcooking them before the crust browns. Flash frying requires an oil temperature of at least 400°F—which means you have to use an oil with a high smoke point, like grapeseed oil. By poaching the chicken first and then flash frying it, I was able to eliminate 20 grams of fat and at least 250 calories from traditional fried chicken.
First you have to heat the chicken broth in a medium saucepot over high heat, and than seasoning it generously with salt. Add the chicken thighs to the pan and bring the broth to a simmer. Cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the chicken is tender, about 40 minutes.
Remove the thighs from the liquid, pat them dry, and set them aside on a platter; cover it with foil to keep them warm.
While the chicken is cooking, pour the grapeseed oil into a large pot with high sides, and bring it to 400°F over high heat. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet or over several layers of paper towels (for draining the chicken). In a shallow dish, combine the flour with the paprika, celery salt, black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and the cayenne. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Combine the warm chicken thighs with the buttermilk in a large bowl, coating them completely. Dredge the thighs in the seasoned flour. Then dip the thighs in the buttermilk and dredge them in the seasoned flour once more, to double-coat the chicken. Shake off any excess flour.
Fry the chicken, 2 pieces at a time, in the hot oil until deep golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Drain on the wire rack, and serve immediately.