Fried chicken is a favourite for many people. Our food editor Ntwenhle Gcabashe shares the sides that can complement it.
Photography by: Dylan Swart
DEEP-FRIED ONIONS RING AND CHICKEN
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2
- 3 large onions, cut into rings
- 1 cup (250ml) milk
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Oil, for frying
- 4 x fried chicken breasts, for serving
- Tangy cream sauce, for serving
- In a large bowl, mix milk, flour, eggs and coriander until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Dip onion rings into batter.
- Heat oil in a frying pan. Fry onions on medium heat for 4–5 minutes or until golden.
- Serve with chicken and cream sauce.
FRENCH TOAST, SYRUP AND CHICKEN
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
- 8 white bread slices
- 4 eggs, beaten
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) water
- Oil, for frying
- Syrup, for serving
- 4 x fried chicken, for serving
- Berries, for serving
- Mint leaves, for serving
- Mix eggs, cinnamon and water in a bowl.
- Dip bread in mixture, turning to coat both sides evenly.
- Heat oil in a frying pan. Fry bread for 8–10 minutes on each side, until golden.
- Serve with syrup, chicken, berries and mint leaves.
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4
Chicken
- 4 x chicken breasts
- 1 cup (250ml) amasi
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- Salt and pepper
- Oil, for frying
- 2 cups flour
Open Sandwich
- 4 rolls, cut in half
- Spicy mayonnaise
- 2 handfuls fresh watercress
- Fried chicken
- 4 cheese slices
- 1 cup coleslaw
- In a bowl, combine chicken, amasi and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Let chicken marinate for 20 minutes.
- Heat oil in frying pan. Remove chicken and let excess drip off. Dust with flour. Marinate with amasi mixture and dust with flour again. Fry for 8–10 minutes or until cooked. Let it cool.
- Spread rolls with mayonnaise. Layer watercress, fried chicken, cheese, coleslaw, and serve.
APPLE MASHED POTATO AND FRIED CHICKEN
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup (250ml) water
- ½ cup (125ml) cream
- Salt and pepper
- Fried chicken breasts, for serving
- Gravy, for serving
- Greens, for serving
- In a large saucepan, boil apples and potatoes for 12–15 minutes or until tender. Mash until smooth.
- Add cream. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with chicken, gravy and greens.
CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE AND FRIED CHICKEN
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups (500ml) cream
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 shallots onions, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper
- Fried chicken breasts, for serving
- Parsley, for serving
- Heat butter in a frying pan. Fry onions and garlic for 3–4 minutes or until soft.
- Add mushrooms and cream. Let it simmer for 15–20 minutes or until thick.
- Add cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with fried chicken and parsley.
POCKET PITA BREAD, SALAD AND CHICKEN
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
- 4 x pita bread
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber, white part scooped out, cubed
- 1 red onion, chopped
- Handful spinach
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) lemon juice
- 4 x fried chicken breasts, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- In a bowl, mix tomatoes, cucumber, onion, spinach, lemon juice and chicken. Season with salt and pepper.
- Split pitta in half to form pocket. Fill with salad, and serve.
CRUNCHY CHICKEN WRAPS
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
- 4 x fried chicken breasts, sliced
- 4 tortilla wraps
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon caster sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) lemon juice
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup green olives
- Salt and pepper
- Handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar and lemon juice.
- Spread wraps with mixture. Layer chicken slices, avocado, onion and olives. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lime wedges.
