Who doesn’t love the excitement of frying a whole chicken, especially when you’re hanging out in the driveway and waiting for the fryer to reach the perfect temperature? This recipe for Whole Fried Chicken with Cajun Chili Butter is a game-changer, offering a delicious alternative when you want to enjoy the tenderness of a whole bird without the hassle of cooking it for hours. It’s packed with flavor, crispy on the outside, and succulent on the inside, enhanced by a spicy, flavorful chili butter.
The chili butter dressing adds a rich, savory kick with a blend of Cajun seasonings, garlic, smoked paprika, and celery salt. The addition of lemon zest and freshly chopped Italian parsley brings a refreshing contrast to the richness of the butter. Whether you’re serving it for a casual weekend gathering or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress.
This recipe is perfect for those who love to cook outside and enjoy a flavorful, crunchy bite. It’s also simple enough for those new to frying chicken but want to try something that feels special. Pair it with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a meal that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1 Sanderson Farms® Whole Frying Chicken
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fryer oil, for deep frying
1 tsp lemon peel, finely zested
2 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
For the Chili Butter
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tbsp celery salt
1 tbsp black pepper, cracked
2 sticks salted butter
¼ cup fryer oil (reserved after frying chicken)
Directions
Preheat your deep fryer to 325°F.
Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, making sure to coat all parts evenly.
Carefully fry the whole chicken for about 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for breast meat and 175°F for leg meat.
Once fried, remove the chicken from the fryer and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring a moist and tender chicken.
After resting, carve the chicken as desired.
To finish, dress the carved chicken with the prepared chili butter, lemon zest, and chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor.
For the Chili Butter:
In a small saucepan, combine the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, celery salt, and cracked black pepper.
Over medium heat, melt the butter and allow the spices to simmer, blending together beautifully.
Once the butter is melted and the spices are well combined, remove from heat and keep warm.
After frying the chicken, add the reserved fryer oil to the chili butter to create a smooth, rich sauce. Stir to combine.
Nutritional Facts (per serving):
Calories: 610
Fat: 54g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Sodium: 460mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 29g
This Whole Fried Chicken with Cajun Chili Butter offers a mouthwatering combination of crispy, flavorful chicken with the heat of chili and the richness of butter. Perfect for a memorable meal!
