Chicharrón de Pollo (Dominican Fried Chicken Bites)
Local name: Chicharrón de pollo
In short: Chicken pieces marinated in lime, garlic and oregano, dredged in seasoned flour and fried until deeply golden and crunchy. Served with lime. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 500 kcal
Chicharrón de pollo is the Dominican fried chicken, sold at cafeterias, food stands and roadside spots and ordered with a plate of tostones or fries. The chicken is cut into bite-size pieces, marinated for a few hours in lime, garlic and oregano, then dredged in seasoned flour and fried until deeply golden and crunchy. The meat stays juicy thanks to the marinade, and a squeeze of lime at the end ties it together. It is eaten hot, with hot sauce on the side.
Instructions
- Toss the chicken with the lime juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and paprika. Cover and marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator, or up to 8 hours.
- Mix the flour, cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt and garlic powder in a wide bowl.
- Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep, heavy pot. Drain any pooled marinade from the chicken.
- Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture a handful at a time, pressing the coating on and shaking off the excess.
- Fry in batches of 8 to 10 pieces for 5 to 6 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and cooked through to 74°C (165°F).
- Drain on a rack or paper towels, sprinkle with a little salt and serve hot with lime wedges.
Tips
- Do not crowd the pot, or the oil cools and the coating turns greasy. Fry in batches and let the oil return to 175°C (350°F) between them.
- Bone-in pieces work too. Use wings or drumsticks and fry for 12 to 15 minutes at 165°C (330°F) so the inside cooks through.
Questions and answers
How is chicharrón de pollo different from fried chicken?
Dominican chicharrón de pollo is usually boneless or small pieces marinated in lime and garlic, then fried in a light flour coating. It is crisp and juicy, but less thick than American-style fried chicken.
Can I air fry chicharrón de pollo?
Yes. Spray the coated pieces with oil and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. They will be less crunchy than the fried version.
What do you serve with chicharrón de pollo?
Tostones (fritos verdes), french fries or white rice with a simple cabbage salad. A squeeze of lime and a dash of hot sauce finish the plate.
How long does it take to make Chicharrón de Pollo (Dominican Fried Chicken Bites)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chicharrón de Pollo (Dominican Fried Chicken Bites)?
About 500 kcal per serving, with 51 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 51 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
