The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for the Crispiest Fried Chicken

While I typically rely on bread crumbs or panko to bread my fried chicken or chicken cutlets, I've discovered a surprising and fun secret ingredient for an even crispier result, and it's likely already in your pantry: instant ramen noodles. That's right, those budget-friendly packets of noodles, when crushed, can be your secret breading weapon for the crispiest fried chicken. 

Did you know instant ramen noodles can be eaten without boiling? They're pre-fried and crispy right out of the package. Thanks to the pre-frying process, the crushed noodles become even crispier when deep fried again as a fried chicken crust. This double-frying technique ensures the noodles stay crunchy for a longer time, making crushed instant ramen an ideal choice for a perfectly crispy, long-lasting breading on your fried chicken

Moreover, this food hack is versatile, working just as well for deep-frying whole pieces of chicken (wings, breasts, thighs, or drums) as it does for pan-frying thinner cutlets.

How To Turn Instant Ramen Into Crunchy Chicken Breading

Start by crushing instant ramen noodles into small, uneven pieces. You can have a bit of a cathartic moment here – use a rolling pin or food mallet to smash the noods to smithereens. To minimize any mess, keep the noodles in their original packaging while crushing them. 

If you're working with multiple packets, an alternative is to transfer the noodles into a sealable silicone bag or zip-top bag before you start smashing away. Then, use these crushed noodles as you would use bread crumbs or panko to bread your flour and egg-dredged chicken. 

To easily coat your chicken, keep the crushed noodles in the bag. Add in your prepped chicken pieces, then simply shake the bag to coat the chicken with the crushed noodles thoroughly. Finally, fry until golden brown is all over and the chicken is cooked through. 

Best Southern Fried Chicken

How To Choose the Right Instant Ramen 

Almost any brand of instant ramen will do the job. After all, most come with a pre-fried packet of bland instant noodles that will become crispy and crunchy when fried. The key lies in the flavor profile you desire and the specific seasoning and oil sachets included with the ramen. 

If you enjoy a kick of heat in your dishes, opt for brands known for peach-burning heat, such as SAMYANG Buldak, Indomie, or NongShim Gourmet Spicy. (I’m personally in love with SAMYANG Buldak’s Spicy Carbonara flavor.) For a milder taste, you can’t go wrong with brands like Nissin or Sapporo Ichiban, which offer flavors like beef, chicken, or tonkotsu. They are still packed with umami and flavor.

Note that there are instant ramen noodles that come pre-seasoned and infused with flavor and color. Using those crushed noodles is akin to using crushed Doritos or Cheetos.

Use the Seasoning and Oil Packets 

There are a few ways to creatively use the seasoning and oil sachets inside the ramen pack to enhance your super crispy fried chicken further. One way is to marinate the chicken or incorporate them into a brine, infusing the meat with the savory flavors of the seasoning. 

Alternatively, you can mix the seasoning packets directly into the crushed ramen noodles you'll use for breading. Nothing beats a flavorful crust, honestly. As for those ramen packets accompanied by a spicy sauce, try mixing the sauce with butter and honey and use this mixture as a glaze. After frying, coat your chicken in this flavorful sauce. Just be sure a cold glass of soy milk or makgeolli is nearby. 

So, remember those humble packets of instant ramen in your pantry next time you're in the mood for some next-level crispy fried chicken with a twist. Enjoy the most satisfying ASMR and mukbang level crunch, and thank me later!