Beer-Battered Chipotle Chicken Strips

Ingredients:

1½ cups flour, plus 1½ cups separated
12 ounces light beer
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 chipotles in adobo, minced
4 large boneless chicken breast, sliced into ½-thick strips
Canola oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add the 1½ cups of flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the beer until most of the lumps are gone. Fold in the chipotles, cover and let it set for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.

2. Remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you are going to cook it so it comes to room temperature. In a small fryer, or heavy pot, fill with 2/3 canola oil. Preheat to medium/high heat for 13 to 15 minutes. Oil should be at least 350ºF to 365ºF. Prepare a baking pan and top it with a wire cooling rack, set it aside. Preheat oven to 200ºF.

3. Add the the extra 1½ cups of flour to another bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss half of the chicken in until evenly coated and shake off excess flour. Dip up to 3 pieces into beer batter and carefully drop 1 strip at a time into hot oil. Cook, turning once for just 2 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from hot oil using a metal spider utensil and transfer them onto cooling rack. Keep them warm in the oven. Serve with your favorite salsa or sauce.

hispanic kitchen