City chicken, commonly referred to as mock chicken legs, consists of cubed veal or pork breaded and formed into imitation drumsticks shaped in the style of traditional chicken drumsticks. It originated during the Great Depression when veal was more cost-effective than poultry as an economical source of protein.
Air fryer mock chicken is an irresistibly delicious snack or meal option for kids of any age that’s easy to season to suit any palate. To give its legs extra crunchiness, coat them in flour-mixture before frying.
Air frying
Air frying is an increasingly popular method of cooking that utilizes hot air instead of oil for optimal results. This healthier approach produces crispier and lower-calorie food while being easier and cleaner to cleanup afterward. While air fried food may not have the same texture as traditional fried dishes, and may take longer to cook; there are a few tricks you can use to make air fryer mock chicken legs extra crunchy and juicy!
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and drying mock chicken legs thoroughly with paper towels before generously seasoning them with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper (mix in a bowl or plastic bag before coating chicken legs evenly), before patting dry using paper toweling again and placing into air fryer for 20-25 minutes of cooking time, turning midway. Check to ensure internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached before taking out of air fryer.
Another method for cooking mock chicken legs is baking them in an oven. This approach is quick, straightforward, and suitable for both homemade and store-bought mock chicken products alike. When baking city chicken made from cubes of veal or pork meat, bake until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 F.
If you want to try making this dish vegetarian- or vegan-friendly, seitan is an alternative protein made of wheat gluten that serves as a meat substitute, similar to meat but much lower in calories and fat content than conventional chicken. Plus, seitan doesn’t leave an oily residue like regular fried chicken does!
Mock chicken is an easy, delicious meal that everyone in your family can enjoy! Perfect for busy families and fast to prepare, mock chicken makes an excellent snack or dinnertime addition that pairs well with pasta, potatoes or salad.
Traditional frying
Mock chicken legs are delicious kid-friendly snacks that provide an inexpensive and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. Making mock chicken at home is quick and simple – plus the marinating time will ensure maximum crunchiness! For optimal results, let the mock chicken marinate in buttermilk for at least an hour (ideally overnight in the refrigerator).
Once your mock chicken has been marinated, it’s time to start creating its batter. A mixture of eggs, flour and spices should work perfectly to produce an irresistibly flavorful crust when fried; just be mindful not to over-mix as otherwise the batter may lose its structure and fall off when being cooked!
Before frying your mock chicken legs, it is a good idea to give them time to rest. This allows the juices from the chicken to settle into its breading and firm up more effectively. Furthermore, it’s essential that your pan does not become overcrowded as this could cause it to steam instead of fry, leading to soggy coatings.
To make mock chicken, season it with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Either use a bowl to season or just rub on generously before frying – for best results use plenty of seasoning before beginning! For crispy and flavorful mock chicken results it should be generously seasoned before being deep-fried.
Before frying your mock chicken, be sure to allow it to thaw in either your refrigerator or microwave for optimal results. This will ensure even cooking throughout and avoid becoming dry when it’s fried. To thaw out your mock chicken quickly and safely.
Before beginning to fry food at high temperatures, it’s also a wise move to preheat your oven in order to minimize harmful chemical emissions. To preheat it effectively, simply switch on or set to warm setting of your oven.
Vegan and vegetarian options
Vegan or vegetarian? Don’t miss out on enjoying the taste and texture of chicken with this easy recipe! Made with pulled oyster mushrooms and jackfruit for an irresistibly tender, flavorful, spicy umami texture even non-vegans will appreciate, these vegan drumsticks demonstrate that being plant-based doesn’t mean giving up favorite foods!
Homemade crispy chicken-like snacks can be easily made at home with ingredients you already have in your kitchen! This straightforward recipe produces tasty treats perfect for snacking on at school or camp! These skewers also make a fun addition to a kid’s snack basket!
For optimal results, it’s essential that all ingredients be thoroughly prepared prior to beginning to cook. Start by washing and resting mushroom stalks; combine dried ingredients in a bowl with water, mixing well until dough-like mixture forms; use your hands or a spatula to ensure even distribution; enjoy!
Once the dough is finished, pour it over the shredded mushrooms and combine until a uniform mixture emerges. Season this mix with salt, pepper and paprika as desired – or you could also purchase pre-made chicken seasoning blend to save time!
Once the mixture has been fully seasoned, allow it to cool for 10 minutes before setting aside again to heat. Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet on medium high heat before taking a handful of the meat mixture and shaping into three inch log shapes using your hands before wrapping around a popsicle stick and coating in cornflake crumbs before repeating this step for each skewer.
Prep time may differ between oven frying and air frying methods; the latter requires no added oils or fats and the former offers greater health benefits for children who will love trying this delectable and nutritious treat! Both will also appeal to picky eaters!
Tips for making extra crispy air fryer mock chicken legs
Air fryers offer a great solution for making tasty mock chicken legs that are crunchy, succulent and versatile in terms of seasoning options. Easy to use and clean up after use, the ingredients are cost-effective, providing healthier alternatives than deep frying – this dish makes an irresistibly tasty snack or accompaniment for any meal!
Making mock chicken legs even crispier requires coating them with breading or batter prior to baking, in order to help the seasoning stick and prevent dry-out of the meat. Breading options may include flour, cornstarch or gluten-free flour – for optimal results use a combination of these materials!
If you don’t want to invest the time or money into purchasing an air fryer, baking mock chicken legs in the oven is an easy solution. The recipe requires minimal ingredients that may already be in your pantry. Just be careful that when baking them they are spread out evenly across your baking tray so they cook evenly!
For best results when making mock chicken legs, use only high quality oil so the skin crisps up nicely and doesn’t dry out during baking. Overdoing will result in toughened and dry chicken pieces; to prevent this from happening add an additional drizzle of oil or cooking spray for extra crunchiness.
Mock chicken legs make a delicious kid-friendly snack or lunch that can be served with various dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, honey mustard or Buffalo sauce for extra flavour! Plus they’re healthier than their conventional fried counterparts thanks to air frying! Plus it’s quick and convenient method of preparation can easily meet the unique preferences of each family member!
Mock chicken was created during Pittsburgh’s Great Depression Era as a way of providing an experience of eating chicken without breaking the bank. Originally it consisted of cubes of veal and pork combined into a type of meatloaf, then formed into drumstick-shaped patties to mimic real chicken leg bones – it soon became widely popular and is often known by its nickname City Chicken.