Fried Chicken > Can you use old bay on fried chicken
Can You Use Old Bay on Fried Chicken?
Old Bay seasoning is a popular spice blend that originated in the Chesapeake Bay area. With its unique blend of herbs and spices like celery salt, mustard, ginger and paprika, Old Bay adds tons of flavor to seafood, chicken, fries and more. It’s especially delicious on fried chicken, enhancing the crispy breading with its signature zesty, savory taste.
Can You Use Old Bay on Fried Chicken?
Yes, Old Bay seasoning is an excellent spice blend to use when frying chicken. It adds tons of extra flavor to the crispy breaded exterior. Old Bay contains a special mix of 18 herbs and spices that gives it its signature zesty, savory taste. Some of the main seasonings in it include celery salt, paprika, mustard, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper.
This complex blend of flavors perfectly complements fried foods like chicken.
The best way to use Old Bay when frying chicken is to incorporate it into your breading. You can add around 1-2 tablespoons of the seasoning per 1 cup of flour or breadcrumb coating mixture. Mix the Old Bay into the dry dredge before dredging the chicken. This will coat the exterior of the chicken with that unique spicy flavor.
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When the Old Bay coated chicken fries up, the spices will infuse the crispy crust with incredible aroma and taste. It will take your fried chicken to the next level, far beyond just plain breading. The zing from the mustard and celery salt will come through beautifully. You can also use Old Bay when making fried chicken sandwiches.
Either mix it into the breading or sprinkle some extra on top of the fried chicken fillet. It will give your sandwiches a delicious crunch and dynamic flavor.
So Old Bay is highly recommended for kicked up, flavorful fried chicken. The spices permeate the crunchy exterior coating, making your chicken irresistibly bold and zesty. Give it a try for an easy way to make your fried chicken stand out!
What Does Old Bay Taste Like?
The taste of Old Bay is difficult to pinpoint exactly, as it contains a complex blend of 18 herbs and spices. Overall it has a salty, spicy and savory flavor profile. The celery salt gives it a zingy, celery seed-like taste, while the black pepper provides some heat.
Other pronounced flavors are mustard, paprika, ginger and mace. It also has hints of nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. This unique blend of spices makes it extremely versatile for seasoning all kinds of dishes.
Why Use Old Bay Seasoning?
There are many great reasons to use Old Bay seasoning:
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- Adds big, bold flavor – The spice blend packs a flavor punch, infusing food with zesty seasonings. Just a dash can make dishes more interesting.
- Enhances flavors – It draws out the best in foods, bringing out subtle flavors and aromas. It’s especially good at enhancing seafood, chicken, fries and more.
- Easy to use – You can sprinkle it on while cooking, mix it in coatings or add it to dips and sauces. A little goes a long way.
- Brings out crispness – Old Bay contains celery salt, which helps items like fried foods get extra crispy.
- Widely loved taste – Its unique blend of spices has made it a beloved seasoning for generations.
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Best Ways to Use Old Bay
Here are some top ways to enjoy Old Bay seasoning:
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- Fried chicken – Sprinkle it liberally on chicken pieces before breading and frying. It gives the crispy coating incredible flavor.
- Seafood – It’s a must on crab cakes, shrimp, fish fillets and more. Use it in the coating or seasoning.
- Potatoes – Sprinkle on french fries, tater tots or hash browns right when they come out of the oven or fryer.
- Popcorn – Toss hot popcorn with melted butter and Old Bay. The spices perfectly coat each kernel.
- Eggs – Add it to scrambled eggs or omelets for a kick. Or make deviled eggs with some Old Bay in the filling.
- Roasted veggies – Toss vegetables in olive oil and Old Bay before roasting. It enhances the flavors perfectly.
- Snack mixes – Mix it into snack mixes with nuts, crackers and pretzels for addictive flavor.
- Bloody Mary’s – Rim the glass with Old Bay for a unique spin on the classic cocktail.
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So don’t be afraid to get creative with this iconic seasoning blend – it livens up all kinds of dishes! Fried chicken coated in crisp, Old Bay-flavored breading is simply divine.
FAQs
How much Old Bay do you put on fried chicken?
Use about 1-2 tablespoons of Old Bay per 1 cup of flour or breadcrumb coating mixture. This will give the coating a distinct flavor without overpowering it. Adjust to taste.
What are some substitutions for Old Bay?
While you can’t perfectly replicate the unique blend, you can try mixes of paprika, garlic powder, celery salt, dry mustard, cayenne and black pepper. Or use seafood seasoning mixes like crab boil.
What can you use Old Bay on?
Old Bay is incredibly versatile and can be used to season a wide variety of foods. It’s excellent on seafood like shrimp, crab cakes, fish filets, and clams. Sprinkle it on chicken wings, legs and breasts before cooking.
It’s also delicious on roasted veggies, fries, tater tots, popcorn, eggs, avocado toast, and snack mixes. Old Bay blends well with foods like potatoes, corn, shellfish, poultry, and pork. Get creative with it on pastas, dips, chowders, boiled peanuts, and Bloody Mary cocktails too.
What does Old Bay taste like?
Old Bay has a very distinctive flavor profile thanks to its blend of 18 different herbs and spices. It tastes predominantly salty, spicy and savory. The standout flavors are celery salt, black pepper, paprika, mustard, and ginger.
It also has undertones of nutmeg, clove, cardamom, and cinnamon. Overall the taste is zesty, warming, and packed with savory depth. It provides a pleasant heat and tang.
What are the best oils for frying chicken with Old Bay?
Opt for high smoke point neutral oils like vegetable, canola or peanut. Avoid olive oil which can burn at high frying heats.
Should you put Old Bay in the flour or breadcrumb coating?
You can add it to either the flour dredge or breadcrumb coating – both work great. For extra flavor, you can put some in each layer.
What is the best way to use Old Bay seasoning?
The best way to use Old Bay is to sprinkle it liberally over foods just before eating. This could mean seasoning chicken or fish right before cooking or fries right after cooking. Mixing it into breading or batter coating for frying is also highly effective.
Other great uses are adding it to dips, compound butters, salad dressings, and sauces. Blend it into tuna or chicken salad. Rim Bloody Mary glasses with it. Old Bay brings flavor to anything it touches.
Why use Old Bay seasoning?
There are many great reasons to use Old Bay. First, it adds a big, bold flavor with just a dash. Second, it enhances other flavors beautifully, especially in seafood and vegetables. Third, it’s versatile and easy to use in many dishes.
Fourth, it helps make foods like fried chicken extra crispy. And fifth, it has a taste that is widely loved, with a fan base across generations. In short, Old Bay is a seasoning that makes everything more delicious.
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