County Fair Chicken: A Blue Ribbon Winner

I remember the first time I tasted County Fair Chicken. I was newly married and, let’s just say, my culinary skills were…developing. My husband, bless his heart, wasn’t the biggest fan of chicken, a fact that sent a wave of panic through me. Then my Aunt Carol shared this recipe, swearing it was a game-changer. The aroma alone, a savory blend of parmesan and paprika, was enough to win me over. The first bite, with its crispy, flavorful coating and juicy chicken underneath, sealed the deal. It wasn’t just chicken; it was a taste of home, a symbol of my early attempts at creating a comforting family meal.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Dietary Type: Not Gluten-Free

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 1/2 – 3 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on preferred for flavor)
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine

Equipment Needed

• 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 inch baking dish
• Shallow dish or plate for the egg mixture
• Shallow dish or plate for the cheese mixture
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Ensure your oven rack is positioned in the center for even baking.

2. In a shallow dish or on a plate, thoroughly combine the Parmesan cheese, flour, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed. This is your flavorful coating, so ensure it’s well combined.

3. In a separate shallow dish or on a plate, mix the egg and milk together. Whisk them lightly until they are just combined. Avoid over-whisking.

4. Take each chicken piece and dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off. This egg wash helps the cheese mixture adhere properly.

5. Immediately transfer the egg-coated chicken to the Parmesan cheese mixture. Coat each piece thoroughly, pressing gently to ensure the mixture sticks to all sides of the chicken. The more coating, the crispier the result.

6. Place the coated chicken pieces in the 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 inch baking dish. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of baking, resulting in less crispy chicken.

7. Melt the butter or margarine. You can do this in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave. Be careful not to burn the butter.

8. Pour the melted butter evenly over the chicken pieces in the baking dish. This will help to crisp up the coating and add richness to the flavor.

9. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone.

10. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking to prevent burning.

11. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• For an even crispier coating, try using panko breadcrumbs in addition to or in place of some of the flour.
• Don’t skip the resting time after baking! It truly makes a difference in the juiciness of the chicken.
• If you’re short on time, you can prep the chicken ahead of time by coating it with the cheese mixture and refrigerating it for up to 24 hours before baking. However, it’s best to add the melted butter right before baking to prevent the coating from becoming soggy.
• To add a hint of spice, incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the Parmesan cheese mixture.
• For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken in buttermilk for a few hours before coating. This will help to tenderize the chicken and add a subtle tang.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve County Fair Chicken hot from the oven alongside your favorite sides. It pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. For a complete County Fair experience, consider serving it with corn on the cob and freshly baked biscuits.

Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but the coating may not be as crispy. Avoid leaving cooked chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours. For longer storage, cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Wrap the chicken tightly in freezer wrap or place it in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	577 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	383 kcal	66%
Total Fat	42.6 g	65%
Saturated Fat	17.4 g	86%
Cholesterol	224.3 mg	74%
Sodium	704 mg	29%
Total Carbohydrate	7 g	2%
Dietary Fiber	0.4 g	1%
Sugars	0.3 g	1%
Protein	39.6 g	79%

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Variations & Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the parmesan cheese is also gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat-based anti-caking agents.
• Dairy-Free: This variation is tricky due to the parmesan cheese, but you could experiment with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, combined with breadcrumbs and seasonings. The result will be different, but still delicious.
• Herb Infusion: Add dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the Parmesan cheese mixture for a more complex flavor profile.
• Spice It Up: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the cheese mixture for a touch of heat.
• Different Cuts of Chicken: While bone-in, skin-on pieces offer the most flavor, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Adjust baking time accordingly, as boneless chicken will cook faster.
• Lemon-Herb Variation: Add lemon zest and dried herbs to the cheese mixture for a bright, zesty flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use pre-shredded Parmesan cheese?
A: While you can, freshly grated Parmesan cheese will provide a better flavor and texture for the coating. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting and browning properly.

Q: How do I know when the chicken is done?
A: The best way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the chicken up to the point of baking and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. However, it’s best to add the melted butter right before baking to prevent the coating from becoming soggy.

Q: My chicken is browning too quickly. What should I do?
A: If the chicken is browning too quickly, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking. This will help to prevent burning while allowing the chicken to cook through.

Q: Can I freeze this chicken after it’s cooked?
A: Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken for up to 2-3 months. Wrap the chicken tightly in freezer wrap or place it in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Final Thoughts

County Fair Chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a comforting classic that brings back memories of simple pleasures and family gatherings. It’s a dish that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying to eat. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and give this blue ribbon winner a try. I encourage you to experiment with the variations and substitutions to make it your own. Serve it with your favorite sides and share it with the people you love. I’m confident that County Fair Chicken will become a family favorite in your home, just as it has in mine. Let me know what you think and how you’ve made it your own!