Baked & Fried Coconut Chicken

Which is baked...which is fried? Can you tell the difference? ^0^ Same marination but using different methods in cooking, both turn out crisp and golden brown. Equally tasty but of course baking one is the healthier choice! 

The chicken drumsticks are oven baked whereas the thigh are deep fried

Baked/ Fried Coconut Chicken served with sweet corn steamed rice, panfried king oyster mushroom, blanched spinach with soy sauce and sesame seeds & oriental cucumber & carrot cold salad

Divided the chicken leg into separate pieces, drumsticks for baking and thighs for frying

Ingredient

• 5 whole fresh chicken leg, cut into halves
• 150ml coconut milk
• 1/2 tbsp paprika
• 1.5 tbsp no salt garlic-herb mixed (McCormick)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp black pepper

Method

1. Combine coconut milk, paprika, garlic herb mixed, salt & pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to combine. Place chicken pieces in a large zip log bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and toss it slightly so that the chicken pieces are well coated with the marinade. Chill in fridge overnight.

For Deep Frying :

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

1. Remove marinated chicken from fridge and rest for 1 hour. Heat enough oil in a medium heavy based saucepan. Drain chicken from the marinate liquid. Coat the chicken lightly with flour & desiccated coconut followed by egg and let the excess drip off. Put the chicken back into the flour mixture for another coating. 
2. Once the oil is hot enough, slowly slide in coated chicken pieces, in batches, and fry till golden brown for about 5-8 mins on each side. Drain the fried chicken on kitchen paper before serving.

For Oven Baking :

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

1. Remove marinated chicken from fridge. Drain away marinade liquid. Coat the chicken with the flour mixture. Lightly grease a baking rack and place the chicken over the rack and rest for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 200 deg cel. Brush chicken pieces with olive oil. Place the rack over a lined baking sheet (to catch any drippings during the process). Bake for 25-30 mins (turning once during halfway baking) until golden brown and crispy.