Introducing how to freeze fried chicken and a delicious recipe [Explaining tricks and techniques]

Karaage is a dish that is popular with both adults and children.

Do you think, ``I want to serve food well on the table, but it's a hassle to fry it every time?''

Here, we will introduce freezing methods, thawing methods, storage periods, and easy arrangements that you can try right away, so that you can enjoy the classic fried chicken at the table or in lunch boxes.

Advantages of freezing fried chicken

Extend the shelf life of fried chicken

If you store fried chicken in the refrigerator after frying, it can be stored for about 3 days.

However, if you freeze fried chicken, both "fried chicken before frying" and "fried chicken after frying" can be stored for about a month.

You can eat fried chicken conveniently in a short time.

It takes about 30 minutes to season.

Being able to shorten that time can be a huge time saver for busy people.

Of course, if you fry the food in advance, you can simply heat it in the microwave or toast the surface in the toaster, which will save you a lot of time.

[Frozen fried chicken can be used as an ice pack for lunch boxes]
If you just pop frozen fried chicken into your lunch box, it will thaw naturally by lunchtime. It is useful as it preservatives other side dishes.

How to freeze fried chicken

There are two ways to freeze fried chicken. “How to season and freeze” and “Freeze after frying”
"How to do it."

When freezing food with seasoning, it can be further divided into ``when freezing only with seasoning'' and ``when freezing after adding coating.''

If you season the food before freezing it, you can reduce the time required to season the food before cooking. If you add the batter, you will only have to raise it further, which will save you time.

If you freeze it after frying, it is very convenient because you can eat it immediately after thawing it.

Even if it is frozen, the oil will gradually oxidize, so it will be tastier if you eat it as soon as possible, regardless of the storage period.

When cooking frozen fried chicken, choose a method that is convenient for you depending on the purpose of the fried chicken (use it as a side dish, use it as a side dish in a bento box, etc.) and the storage period.

How to season and freeze

[When freezing with seasoning]

1) Season the chicken

2) Place the chicken in a freezer bag and use your fingers to spread it out evenly so that the chicken pieces do not overlap each other as much as possible.
3) Place it on a metal tray such as aluminum and put it in the freezer.

(Metals have high thermal conductivity, so they can lower the temperature quickly. They are used for rapid freezing to preserve the flavor.)

[When freezing with coating on]
1) After seasoning the chicken, add the batter.
2) 3) is the same as the method of seasoning and freezing.

How to freeze after frying

1) Remove the heat from the fried karaage.

2) Divide the amount you want to use by wrapping it in plastic wrap. (For lunch boxes, use several pieces each.)
3) Put it on a metal tray such as aluminum and put it in the freezer (the reason is because of the method of seasoning and freezing)

4) Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock or airtight container and freeze.
(Seal the fried chicken tightly to prevent the oil from oxidizing as much as possible. Remove as much air as possible before freezing.)

How to defrost fried chicken

Frozen fried chicken with seasoning

[When frozen with only seasoning added]

1) Place in the refrigerator and thaw completely (time varies depending on amount and shape)

2) Coat the thawed chicken (add flour and potato starch as appropriate)

3) Finished after frying

[For fried chicken that has been frozen and coated]
The thawed chicken (with batter) is loosened one by one and fried in oil.

When frying, the moisture may form frost, so remove it before adding it to the oil. Be careful of oil splashes.

In addition to frying in oil, there is also a method of baking in a toaster oven. The method is to place the fried chicken on crumpled aluminum foil and grill it.

The excess fat from the chicken will be released and the fried chicken will be healthy and crispy since it is not fried in oil.

How to defrost fried chicken that has been frozen after frying

Since it has been heated once, it can be eaten as it is even if it is thawed naturally.

If you want to heat it up, you can heat it in the microwave, or heat it in the microwave and then toast it in a toaster to make it crispy. You can also use the oven function of the microwave to make it crispy.

Of course, if you have time, you can also fry it twice in oil to make it more delicious.

[Points when frying]
When defrosting fried chicken, if you have time, let it thaw naturally by placing it in the refrigerator the day before.

If you don't have time, heat it in the microwave until it's just barely thawed. (If you have a decompression function, please use it.)

Exquisite! 5 fried chicken recipes

Great for lunch boxes or as a main dish, fried chicken with the flavor of salted kelp.

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/1944623

It looks cute and cute! It's delicious even when it's cold, so it's a great side dish to include in your lunch box. I also like that it doesn't use eggs. The only seasoning is salt from salted kelp, and it's a time-saving dish with no pickling time.

☑材料（10個分）
鶏むね肉　300g
塩昆布　約15ｇ
◆酒　小さじ1.5
◆ごま油 小さじ1
◆すりおろした生姜・にんにく　各1房分
片栗粉（小麦粉でも可）適量
油　適量

<How to make>
1) Chop the chicken breast into approximately 1cm cubes.
2) Add Fujiko Shio-konbu and ◆ and mix until it becomes sticky (add garlic to your preference)
3) Divide into desired sizes and roll into balls (smaller ones are better when putting them in a lunch box)
If it is difficult to roll it, put a little oil on your hands.
4) Add potato starch to the rolled chicken while squeezing it to remove the air.
While squeezing, shape into a slightly flattened bun.
5) Add 1-2 cm of oil to a frying pan and fry.

easy! Fried chicken arrangement sweet and sour stir-fry! Also for lunch box

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2927771

This is a simple arrangement of fried chicken mixed with sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy your family's reaction by easily transforming your regular fried chicken.

☑材料（2人分）
唐揚げ6個
■ 甘酢
★砂糖、酢、ケチャップ　各大さじ1
★醤油　小さじ1
★水　大さじ2
★鶏ガラスープの素　小さじ0.5
★片栗粉 小さじ1
長ネギ（みじん切り）10㎝ほど
かいわれ　適量（お好みで）

<How to make>
1) Cut and loosen the roots of the daisy. Finely chop the green onions.
2) Combine the sweet and sour ingredients listed in ★.
3) Add 2) and chopped green onions to a frying pan, bring to a boil, then add the fried chicken and toss to coat.
4) Sprinkle the kaiware into a bowl and arrange the fried chicken on top.

Fried chicken arranged with summer vegetables

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2700542

The menu will include lots of fried chicken and vegetables. Also, people tend to think that frying is a hassle, but since you just fry and season it, you don't even need a frying pan, making it a time-saving dish.

☑材料（２～３人分）
唐揚げ　約６個
なす　中くらいのもの２本～3本
ピーマン　約３個
パプリカ（あればお好みで）約1個
■ つけだれ
醤油・酢　各大さじ２
みりん 大さじ１
砂糖　大さじ１
いりごま（お好みで少々）

<How to make>
1) Cut the eggplant, green pepper, and paprika (if available) into bite-sized pieces that retain their texture. Soak the eggplant briefly in water to remove any moisture.
2) Mix the ingredients for the dipping sauce and set aside.
3) Drain the vegetables well and fry them, being careful not to splash the oil.
4) Re-fry the fried chicken at the same time and dip it in the dipping sauce while it's still hot.
5) Place the fried vegetables and fried chicken on top with the dipping sauce, mix, and it's done.

Easy fried chicken arrangement chicken nanban

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2148726

By using frozen fried chicken, you can make it in much less time than cooking chicken nanban normally. If you know this, the range of arrangements will expand.

☑材料（4人分）
冷凍唐揚げ12個程度
■ 南蛮酢
すし酢（酢でも可） 40ml
砂糖　小さじ2
しょうゆ　小さじ1
■ タルタルソース
スイートピクルス　1瓶
玉ねぎ　1個
ゆで卵　3〜4個
マヨネーズ　100g程度

<How to make>
1) Make Nanban vinegar. Mix sushi vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce and bring to a boil in a small pot.
2) Make tartar sauce. Chop the ingredients finely and soak the onions in water. Mix drained onions, pickles, and boiled eggs with mayonnaise.
3) Heat the frozen fried chicken in the microwave. While it's still hot, sprinkle with the Nanban vinegar from 1).
4) Arrange on a plate and finish with tartar sauce.

Easy arrangement fried chicken chopped salad

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/3776804

Chopping it into small pieces makes it an easy-to-eat salad. Since it contains their favorite fried chicken, it may be a good choice for children. Please try it with vegetables you have at home. This is a recommended arrangement menu when you only have a little fried chicken left.

☑材料（2人分）
唐揚げ　３個ほど
レタス　3枚
ベビーリーフ20g
玉ねぎ　1/4個
トマト　1/4個
赤パプリカ　1/4個
黄パプリカ　1/4個
きゅうり1/3本
かぼちゃ　1/16個
オクラ　2本
ベビーチーズ　1個
ミックスナッツお好みで
お好みのドレッシング適量
※野菜はあるもので構いません

<How to make>
1) If using frozen fried chicken, thaw and heat.
2) Cut the pumpkin into 1cm squares. Boil until the skin is soft
3) Boil the okra and cut it into 5mm rounds.
4) Cut all remaining vegetables into 1cm pieces.
5) Cut the fried chicken into 1cm pieces.
6) Place all ingredients in a bowl, add your favorite dressing and mix gently.
7) Serve in a bowl. Finish by topping with crushed mixed nuts of your choice.

Conclusion

How about freezing fried chicken?

The storage period is one month, so we hope you enjoy making various arrangements.

Why not take advantage of special chicken sale days and try out the time-saving and money-saving fried chicken menu?