McD Hack: Gluten-Free Spicy Chicken
Wow, Bestnic! I totally get how hard it is to say goodbye to crispy, tempting fried chicken, especially that McD Spicy Chicken with its garlic aroma that’s just... irresistibly mouth-watering. But it’s like love, sometimes it’s just a dream. Like ‘not meant to be.’ 😔 Ever been in that situation? You like someone so much, but it just can’t go anywhere. That’s how it feels for me with crispy chicken that’s delicious but not suitable for me... because of gluten!
Yup, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten gluten, and for me, this is like a journey to 'move on' from all things wheat flour. At first, I was down about it, Bestnic, like losing a first love! But over time, I realized that gluten-free living is the best choice for me.
Gluten-free isn’t only for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Many studies show that cutting back on gluten can help improve digestion. Gluten, the protein typically found in wheat and rye, can make our digestive system work extra hard. So, some people, including me, start feeling the benefits of a gluten-free diet, less bloating, better sleep, and improved digestion!
Back to crispy chicken! Although I had to give up McD, I ended up creating my own gluten-free version in my kitchen. My homemade crispy chicken is still crunchy, crispy, and just as delicious as the one you buy.
Now, some of you might be wondering, “Is there really a difference between eating gluten and not?” The answer is, absolutely! Here are a few reasons why gluten-free foods can be a healthier choice:
Healthier Digestion
For some, gluten is hard to digest. Studies show that gluten-free foods can help digestion. If you often feel bloated, gluten might be one of the causes. That’s why avoiding gluten can make your stomach feel more comfortable and less bloated.
More Stable Energy
Gluten can affect blood sugar levels. This doesn’t mean it directly causes diabetes, but some studies suggest that gluten can cause blood sugar spikes and drops. By eating gluten-free, blood sugar levels can stabilize, making us feel less tired or sleepy.
Healthier Skin
Many people say that going gluten-free improves skin clarity. This is because gluten can sometimes cause inflammation that makes skin more prone to breakouts or dryness. I’ve noticed it myself, my skin is glowing and rarely breaks out.
I
mproved Focus and Mood
mproved Focus and Mood
Now, this is something I feel a lot. Some people report feeling more focused and balanced emotionally after avoiding gluten, especially for those who are prone to anxiety or struggle to focus.
One more thing, Bestnic, that I always highlight to my friends about the benefits of a gluten-free diet: fewer preservatives. Yup, since many packaged foods contain gluten, choosing gluten-free options makes us more mindful, automatically leading to more natural, chemical-free foods. So, in a way, our overall eating habits become healthier.
But don’t get me wrong, gluten-free doesn’t mean just avoiding gluten. We still need a balanced diet and fiber from vegetables and fruits to ensure our body gets enough nutrients. Gluten-free foods can sometimes be high in sugar or fat to replace gluten’s texture, so it’s essential to make healthy choices.
And Nonanic is here to accompany you on your gluten-free journey, sharing gluten-free junk food recipes. 😇 So you can make your favorites at home, to your taste, and definitely healthier. I’m so grateful for the lessons from my gluten-free journey, as I get to share recipes with you, Bestnic, who may also be considering a healthier lifestyle. And don’t worry, being gluten-free doesn’t mean everything becomes bland. We can actually explore many new ingredients we might not have considered before.
That’s all for now! Now I’d love to hear from you, has anyone tried going gluten-free or still curious about what it’s like? Let me know!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword fried chicken, mcdonald spicy chicken recipe, gluten-free spicy chicken, gluten-free crispy chicken
Prep 4 hours
Cook 30 minutes
Servings 10 pieces
Ingredients
- 1 whole organic chicken, cut into 10 pieces
- 1 lemon
- Water, as needed
- 2 L coconut oil
Marinade Seasoning:
- 30 gr sea salt
- 15 gr paprika powder
- 15 gr white pepper powder
- 10 gr garlic powder
- 5 gr ginger powder
- 5 gr black pepper powder
- 7 gr organic cane sugar
- 15 gr chicken powder
Flour Coating Ingredients:
- 250 gr rice flour
- 137 gr non-GMO cornstarch
- 113 gr potato starch
Instructions
- Mix all marinade seasonings together in a glass jar.
- Take 2 tbsp of the marinade seasoning, mix with the chicken and lemon juice, and stir well.
- Add enough water to cover the chicken fully.
- Store in the chiller overnight, or for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to absorb well.
- After marinated well, heat the oil over medium heat.
- For the flour mixture: combine all the flour coating ingredients and the remaining marinade seasoning, and mix well.
- For the dipping batter: take 2 tbsp of the flour mixture and add a bit of the marinade water from the chicken, stirring until smooth.
- Dredge the marinated chicken in the dipping batter, then coat it with the flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the skin. Shake off any excess flour.
- Fry the battered chicken over low to medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Tips
Non-spicy
- The chicken in this recipe has a mildly spicy flavor; if you prefer it less spicy, you can reduce or omit the paprika powder altogether.
Flour substitutes
- Potato starch can be replaced with non-GMO cornstarch in the same quantity.
- Non-GMO cornstarch can be substituted with arrowroot flour in the same quantity.
- Rice flour can be replaced with mocaf flour in the same quantity.
Less oily
- Fry + air fryer/oven. To reduce the amount of oil, you can fry the chicken briefly over medium heat, then finish by drying it in an air fryer or oven at 150°C (300°F) for 15 minutes. This technique can reduce the oil content in the fried chicken.
- Air fryer/oven only. You can use only an air fryer, but the result will be different. Spray the floured chicken with coconut oil on both sides, air fry at 170°C (340°F) for 15 minutes, then flip. Continue at 150°C (300°F) for another 15 minutes.
Double coating
- If you prefer a thicker coating, you can repeat the coating process by dipping the chicken into the wet mixture and flour mixture twice. Avoid more than that, as gluten-free flour tends to expand more when fried compared to wheat flour.
Best to consume
- Gluten-Free Spicy Chicken stays crispy for up to 1 hour at room temperature, so it’s best enjoyed immediately.
Storage
- In the refrigerator, it lasts for 3 days. Reheat by frying in medium-heat oil or using an air fryer at 170°C (340°F) for 5 minutes.
Gluten-free flour
- mix can be used for 1-2 batches of this recipe. Store any remaining flour mix in an airtight container. It can last for 1 month in the refrigerator.
