FOOD NEWS
Why Breaking Down Your Own Bird Yields Juicier Fried Chicken
By Matt Byrne
Breaking down a chicken is not only a good skill to have, but it is also cheaper than buying separate chicken parts. Sohla El-Waylly explains in her Serious Eats piece that when you select a smaller chicken you get a higher bone-to-meat ratio, juicier meat, and smaller parts that will fry faster.
When you break down your own chicken, you can control the size of the chunks, which will help retain their juices when you're ready to cook them. It is also important to note that the shorter the span that your chicken is actively under heat, the more tender and moist it's likely to be.
Another aspect to consider when aiming for a juicier piece of fried chicken is brining. Brining chicken retains moisture and flavor and broken-down chicken parts will have more surface area exposed to the brine, which can make it more tender and juicy.