Cookies and cream chicken is a delicious chicken dish that combines sweet cookies and savory chicken for a unique flavor combination. It involves coating chicken pieces with a cookies and cream flavored batter before baking or frying them to perfection. The end result is a crispy, cookie-coated chicken that is a fun twist on classic fried chicken.
What are the origins of cookies and cream chicken?
Cookies and cream chicken seems to have originated in the 2010s as various food bloggers and home cooks began experimenting with unconventional flavor combinations. The exact origins are unclear, but recipes started appearing on blogs, YouTube channels, and social media around that time. It seems to be a creative spin on classic sweet and savory chicken recipes like chicken and waffles. The creamy cookies and cream flavor pairs wonderfully with juicy, savory chicken.
What are the main ingredients in cookies and cream chicken?
The main ingredients in cookies and cream chicken include:
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best.
- Cookies – Crushed Oreo or chocolate sandwich cookies.
- Breading – Flour, cornflake crumbs, panko breadcrumbs.
- Eggs and milk – For the batter.
- Spices – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder.
- Oil – For frying, such as vegetable, canola or peanut oil.
The cookies are crushed and combined with eggs, milk, and spices to create a thick cookies and cream flavored batter. The chicken is coated in this sweet batter and browned to create a crispy exterior coating.
What are the steps to making cookies and cream chicken?
Here is a basic overview of the steps for making cookies and cream chicken:
- Cut chicken breasts into strips or cubes.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and spices.
- Crush cookies into fine crumbs.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, and crushed cookies.
- Dip chicken pieces into batter to fully coat.
- Coat chicken in breadcrumbs or flour.
- Fry chicken in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels and season again if desired.
- Serve hot with dipping sauces if desired.
The key steps are creating the cookies and cream batter, coating the chicken, and frying or baking until the coating is crispy. Frying creates the crispiest texture.
What cooking methods can be used for cookies and cream chicken?
There are a few different cooking methods that work well for cookies and cream chicken:
- Deep frying – Immersing the battered chicken pieces in hot oil results in a crispy, crunchy cookies and cream coating.
- Pan frying – Cooking the chicken in a skillet with a thin layer of oil makes the coating crispy and browned.
- Baking – Baking the battered chicken in the oven gives a slightly less crispy but still delicious version.
- Air frying – Air frying is a great lower-fat option that makes the outside coating crispy.
Deep frying and pan frying tend to yield the crispiest cookie coating, while baking and air frying are lower in fat. The cooking time may vary based on thickness of chicken and preferred level of doneness.
What are some common variations of cookies and cream chicken?
There are many fun flavor twists on classic cookies and cream chicken:
- Use cinnamon cookies like snickerdoodles for a sweeter flavor.
- Add chocolate chips, M&Ms, sprinkles or other candy to the batter.
- Use banana or chocolate sandwich cookies instead of Oreos.
- Flavor the batter with extracts like vanilla, almond or maple.
- Coat with crushed graham crackers or ginger cookies instead.
- Top cooked chicken with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce or caramel.
- Experiment with cookies like peanut butter or lemon cookies.
Let your imagination run wild! The cookies add sweetness, while the chicken offers richness and texture. The combinations are endless.
What dipping sauces go well with cookies and cream chicken?
Cookies and cream chicken pairs deliciously with an array of dipping sauces, including:
- Chocolate sauce
- Vanilla cream or icing
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallow cream or fluff
- Caramel or butterscotch sauce
- Hot fudge
- Strawberry or raspberry sauce
- Honey mustard
- Ranch dressing
- BBQ sauce
Sweet dipping sauces complement the cookie coating, while savory sauces like ranch and BBQ add a delicious flavor contrast. You really can’t go wrong with cookies and cream flavored chicken!
What are some potential garnishes for cookies and cream chicken?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to garnishing cookies and cream chicken. Here are some fun ideas:
- Crumbled Oreo or chocolate cookie pieces
- Chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles
- Powdered sugar or crushed candy canes
- Whipped cream
- Cherry or strawberry topping
- Caramel or chocolate drizzle
- Chopped nuts like pecans, almonds or peanuts
- Shredded coconut
- Crumbled bacon bits
- Mini chocolate chips
Aim for garnishes that complement the existing cookies and cream flavors. Sprinkles, powdered sugar and mini chocolate chips make fun finishing touches!
| Garnish | Adds… |
|---|---|
| Crumbled Oreo cookies | More cookie flavor |
| Chocolate chips | Sweet chocolate bursts |
| Whipped cream | Creamy richness |
| Powdered sugar | Sweetness |
| Cherry topping | Tart fruitiness |
| Chopped nuts | Crunch and texture |
What are the best side dishes to serve with cookies and cream chicken?
Cookies and cream chicken pairs nicely with sides that balance out the sweetness:
- French fries or potato wedges
- Cole slaw or broccoli slaw
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Macaroni and cheese
- Potato salad
- Biscuits or cornbread
- Rice pilaf or fried rice
- Garlic mashed potatoes
Starchy vegetables, greens, and Southern-style sides are excellent complements to cookies and cream chicken. Salad, coleslaw, or bean salads add freshness.
What types of chicken work best for cookies and cream chicken?
The most suitable chicken cuts for cookies and cream chicken include:
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless breasts are juicy, tender and easy to cut into strips.
- Chicken thighs – Boneless thighs have more fat and flavor than breasts.
- Chicken tenderloins – Tenders are already an ideal shape and size for cooking.
- Chicken drumsticks – Drumsticks make a fun, hand-held option.
Chicken thighs and drumsticks have the advantage of more skin for extra flavor and crunch. Lean breasts and tenders ensure the batter gets maximum coverage. Use boneless, skinless cuts for easier eating.
How do you know when cookies and cream chicken is fully cooked?
There are a few ways to check cookies and cream chicken for doneness:
- Use a food thermometer – it should read 165°F internally.
- Cut into the thickest part – the chicken should be opaque and white inside with no pinkness.
- Pierce with a fork – the juices should run clear with no traces of pink or red.
- The outside coating is crispy and browned.
- The chicken flakes easily with a fork.
The cookie coating should be thoroughly browned and crispy when the chicken is fully cooked. If in doubt, use a thermometer to confirm it reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature.
How can you make cookies and cream chicken healthier?
There are several easy ways to lighten up cookies and cream chicken:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders to reduce fat.
- Coat in crushed cornflakes rather than flour for added crunch with less calories.
- Bake, grill or air fry instead of deep frying to significantly cut calories and fat.
- Use low-fat buttermilk and egg whites in the batter.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for part of the eggs and milk in the batter.
- Use just a splash of oil for pan frying rather than submerging in oil.
- Season with spices instead of salt for added flavor without sodium.
With some simple tweaks, cookies and cream chicken can be transformed into a lighter dish while keeping all the delicious flavor.
What food safety precautions should you take with cookies and cream chicken?
As with all chicken dishes, proper food safety is important when making cookies and cream chicken:
- Always thaw chicken in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw chicken.
- Use an instant read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F.
- Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours and reheat fully to 165°F.
- Discard any chicken left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- Keep raw chicken separated from ready-to-eat ingredients like cookies.
- Never reuse oil after cooking raw chicken in it.
Following basic food safety guidelines will keep cookies and cream chicken safe to enjoy!
Conclusion
Cookies and cream chicken is a whimsical twist on classic fried chicken that both kids and adults will love. Coating juicy chicken pieces in a sweet cookies and cream batter creates next level flavor when fried or baked to crispy perfection. With endless variations using different cookies, dipping sauces, and garnishes, this creative chicken dish is sure to be a hit at your next meal or party! Just be sure to follow proper food safety practices. Dig into this fun sweet and savory mashup for a treat that is finger-licking good.