FOOD NEWS
For The Perfect Crispy Chicken, Substitute That Egg Wash With Mayo
By Julia Mullaney
An egg wash is crucial in getting any breading to stick to soon-to-be fried chicken, but making it can be frustrating. Instead, try using mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise can easily replace egg wash because it contains the three essential ingredients for creating the perfect crispy chicken: fat, protein, and sugar.
Fat is a great way to fry food, and sugar is perfect for caramelizing. Proteins in eggs react while cooking to give food a nice brown color.
The mayonnaise coats the meat, adding to the crisp that you're also getting from the breadcrumbs or flour.
Start by soaking the chicken in a marinade, like buttermilk. Then, slather mayonnaise on each piece without dunking the knife back in the container to avoid cross-contamination.
You can also simply combine the buttermilk and mayonnaise to create a thicker marinade. From here, add your desired breading and fry the meat.
If you want to forego the breadcrumbs, dip the chicken into seasoned flour or cornstarch, but make sure you season the marinade well to ensure the best flavor.