By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on October 10, 2023 | Last Updated on October 10, 2023
Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken is a beloved dish created by celebrity chef Melba Wilson, owner of the renowned Melba’s Restaurant in New York City. This Southern-style fried chicken has gained a cult following for its crispy exterior and juicy, flavorful meat.
At Melba’s Restaurant, fried chicken is a must-try dish and has been featured in numerous publications and TV shows. With a perfect blend of spices and a secret ingredient that sets it apart from other fried chicken, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.
Luckily, you can now recreate this mouth-watering dish in your own kitchen with this step-by-step guide. So let’s get started on making some delicious buttermilk fried chicken just like they serve at Melba’s!
What is Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken?
Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken is a classic Southern-style dish that has become a staple at Melba’s Restaurant in New York City. It is made with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces marinated in buttermilk and coated with a flavorful blend of spices and flour before being fried to perfection.
What sets this fried chicken apart from others is its secret ingredient – brown mustard. This adds a tanginess to the coating that pairs perfectly with the other spices and creates a unique flavor profile that keeps customers coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken?
There are many reasons to love this famous fried chicken dish. Firstly, it is incredibly flavorful with a perfect balance of spices that create a crave-worthy coating.
The use of buttermilk in the marinade also helps to tenderize the meat and add moisture, resulting in juicy and succulent chicken every time. Moreover, this procedure is easy to follow and can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen.
No need to travel to New York City for a taste of Melba’s famous fried chicken – you can now make it at home and impress your family and friends with this delicious dish.
You can customize the spice level to suit your taste by adjusting the amount of hot sauce or cayenne pepper added to the flour mixture.
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The Ingredients
- Chicken: To make this famous fried chicken, you will need one whole 3-pound chicken. You can also use chicken parts like drumsticks, thighs, or breasts if preferred. Just make sure they’re all bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Buttermilk: The buttermilk is used as a marinade to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. You can substitute it with whole milk if needed, but the tanginess of the buttermilk really takes this fried chicken to the next level.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is used to create the crispy coating for the chicken. You can also use a mixture of all-purpose and cornmeal for added texture and crunch.
- Spices: A blend of sweet Spanish paprika, kosher salt, poultry seasoning, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and Goya Sazonador seasoning will give this fried chicken its signature flavor.
- Oil: Peanut or vegetable oil is recommended for frying the chicken. These oils have a high smoke point and neutral flavor that won’t compete with the spices in the coating.
- Mustard: Brown mustard is used as a binder for the flour mixture, helping it stick to the chicken and creating a golden brown crust.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Marinate the chicken
- Cut the chicken into 8 pieces (2 drumsticks, 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 2 breasts).
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with buttermilk. Make sure all the pieces are coated evenly.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
Step 2
Prepare the flour mixture
- In a shallow dish, mix together all-purpose flour, sweet Spanish paprika, kosher salt, poultry seasoning, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and Goya Sazonador seasoning.
- Add in the brown mustard and mix until well combined.
Step 3
Coat the chicken with the flour mixture
- Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat up a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
- Pat dry each piece of chicken with paper towels to remove excess buttermilk.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly on all sides.
Step 4
Fry the chicken
- Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, skin side down. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 5
Serve
- Let the chicken cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes,
Notes
- Experiment with different spices to create your own unique blend.
- If using chicken parts, adjust the frying time accordingly. Thicker pieces like breasts may need a few extra minutes.
- To avoid overcrowding the pan, fry the chicken in batches.
Nutrition Information
How to store Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken?
Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken is best consumed fresh and hot out of the fryer. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat the chicken, place it on a baking sheet lined with foil and heat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. This will help maintain the crispy texture of the chicken.
If you have any leftover flour mixture, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for future use. Simply add extra buttermilk to thin it out and use it as a delicious coating for other meats or vegetables.
Variations
Here are some ways to add a personal touch to Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken:
- Use different cuts of chicken, such as boneless chicken breasts or wings.
- For a spicier version, add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Serve with different sauces or dips, such as honey mustard or ranch dressing.
Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- a large pot
- or skillet
Ingredients
- 2 3- pound chicken
- 4 cups buttermilk
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sweet Spanish paprika
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- Peanut or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon Goya Sazonador seasoning
Instructions
- Begin by cutting the chicken. In a large bowl, coat the chicken evenly with buttermilk before covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating it for at least one hour or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
- In a shallow dish, combine all-purpose flour with a blend of sweet Spanish paprika, kosher salt, poultry seasoning, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and Goya Sazonador seasoning. Add in the brown mustard and mix well.
- Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before heating a large pot or Dutch oven with oil to 375°F (190°C). Pat dry each chicken piece and evenly coat each one with the flour mixture, making sure to cover all sides.
- Carefully place the coated chicken into the hot oil, skin side down. Fry for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken cool for a few minutes before serving it hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Experiment with different spices to create your own unique blend.
- If using chicken parts, adjust the frying time accordingly. Thicker pieces like breasts may need a few extra minutes.
- To avoid overcrowding the pan, fry the chicken in batches.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this fried chicken?
It is generally safe for pregnant women to consume fried chicken as long as it is cooked thoroughly and the ingredients used are fresh. However, it is always best to consult with a doctor before consuming any type of food during pregnancy.
Can I bake this in the oven?
While traditional Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken is fried, you can also bake it in the oven for a healthier option. Simply place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 35-40 minutes until cooked through. You may not get as crispy of a texture, but the chicken will still be delicious.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken in buttermilk and coat it with the flour mixture ahead of time. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to fry. However, for best results, it is recommended to fry the chicken immediately before serving.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for following this step-by-step guide on how to make Melba’s Famous Fried Chicken at home. We hope you like this delicious dish and add it to your list of go-to dishes.
Please share this article with your friends and family and don’t forget to leave us a comment below with your feedback.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
