Here is the copycat Saudi Al Baik chicken recipe that I tried at home and it turns out so well. It's a crispy fried chicken prepared with minimal ingredients.
I am a true lover of Al Baik restaurant, especially their broast chicken is the best! before sharing this recipe, I made this recipe few times by adding variations in spices, and this recipe is the winner so share it with all the foodies out there to try at home rather than than standing in a long queue (just kidding).
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What is Al Baik Chicken?
Al Baik is the famous and most adorable fast food chain from Saudi Arabia (KSA) and people love their Arabic-style fried chicken (البیک فرائیڈ چکن). It has a unique taste, aroma, and groovy texture that compels you to eat in no time.
I was always curious to delve into the spices to make this chicken and have tried with paprika, sumac, and red chilies. This recipe is foolproof and tested in my kitchen. Still, it's an inspired version, not exactly the same Al Baik chicken that is truly amazing in taste.
Al Baik has a rich history of making broasted chicken. People wait in a long queue to take their orders. Recently, they started their operations in Dubai mall and I am still waiting to get my order as they are full and packed when I reach to them. I wish to get it soon! or will open more branches to facilitate their customers. Here are the historical details that you love to read. (Albaik History).
If your taste bud is familiar with Albaik taste then surely try this recipe in your home kitchen and share it with your friends and family.
Don't forget to explore: Middle Easter Food Recipes
Ingredients & Substitutions
For Chicken Marinade
- Chicken Pieces: Breast and tigh pieces are more recommended to get good result.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and paprika,
- Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic used.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice used to add citric taste in chicken.
- Egg: Used 1 egg with yolk as marinate binder.
For Chicken Coating
- All Purpose flour: Used flour to coat the chicken pieces.
- Corn flour: Will add a crisp and crunch in chicken coating.
- Seasoning: Salt, paprika and black pepper used.
- Oil for deep frying
How to Make Al Baik Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Pounding the Chicken
First start with hammering or pounding the chicken pieces with gentle hands to make it like a thick stripe but not so thin. Then season with salt, black pepper, paprika powder and and lemon juice. Rub and mix all the ingredients with hand.
Step 2: Prepare Egg Batter
Now in a mixing bowl, add an egg and spice up with grated garlic, salt, and paprika. Beat to make a smooth paste. Add corn flour in egg and give it a good whisk.
Add all chicken pieces in the egg batter and coat well. Marinate for 2 hours.
Step 3: Prepare Flour Coating
After 2 hours, coat chicken with All-purpose flour (Maida). Season with flour with salt, paprika and black pepper. Add all the chicken pieces and flour and give them good coat. Remove the excess flour to get good result.
Step 4: Deep Frying
In a pan, pour oil and let it heat up for 2 minutes on medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 1 minutes until the chicken get harder from 1 side. Then flip the pieces to cook from other side. Frequently stir after getting a hard coat to get even brown color.
Take it out on absorbent paper and enjoy with your favorite sauce.
Watch Recipe
Secret Tips
- To get the best result, take the thighs or breast pieces of chicken without skin.
- Hammering and pounding chicken can make it more tender and juicy from inside.
- Don't over-spice the chicken pieces.
- Overnight marination is good!
- For signature fried chicken texture, always fry chicken at high to medium flame.
- At low temperature, chicken can release water and will become soggy.
- Never cover chicken pieces right after frying.
- Add cayenne pepper to make it hot and spicy.
Serving Suggestions
Al baik chicken has tender and juicy taste with crispy texture that pair up well with honey garlic sauce, garlic mayo sauce, and simple with ketchup. You can also give a try with cheese sauce. You can also pair up with:
- Macarona Bechamel: It's a cheesy baked bechamel pasta!
- Oven Baked Fench Fries: prepared with less oil and perfect to add as a side dish.
- Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw recipe with mayo.
- Dinner Rolls: Add dinner rolls to make a complete meal especially for weeknight dinner.
- House Sauce: Restaurant secret sauce prepared in 2 minutes with mayonnaise and ketchup.
Another Saudi obsession is Chicken Kabsa, Mandi Chicken with Dakous that I also love to make for my friends and family.
Q & A
Deep fried version is not healthy! but if you bake the chicken in oven with less oil then it's good to have. Chicken is packed with protein and essential nutrients that helps in weigh loss.
Not exactly the same in terms of taste as both following the different styles of making and adding ingredients. The outer crisp is same that why many people think it's same as KFC chicken.
Yes, you can! It will infused the flavor and make it tender.
More Fried Chicken Recipes
If you are looking forward to trying this Al baik chicken recipe or something else, then don’t forget to Rate the Recipe by clicking on stars and ask your query in the comment section. I would love to reply to make your experience successful. It will be encouraging if you share your recipe shots with me to share on stories on Instagram.
Al Baik Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Pieces Boneless breast (chest) or thighs without skin
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Grated Garlic Cloves
- 1 Egg
- For Chicken Coating
- 2 teaspoon Corn Flour
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour Maida
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- Oil For Deep Frying
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (Optional) To make it hot and spicy
Instructions
Pound the Chicken (Chicken Paillard)
- Hammer chicken pieces to make it flat or tender before cooking
Marinade
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and paprika powder.
- Now in a mixing bowl, add an egg.
- Spice the egg with grated garlic, salt, and paprika.
- Beat the egg to make a smooth paste.
- Now add cornflour in egg and give it a good whisk.
- Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the egg mixture and give it a good mix.
- Now cover and marinate for 2 hours.
Breading
- After 2 hours, coat chicken with All-purpose flour (Maida).
Deep Frying
- Deep fry chicken on high heat to get a hard crispy chicken layer from outside . [Tip]: Initially keep the temperature high then shift to medium size to cook the chicken from inside. Frying will take 8 to 10 minutes.
- Take out chicken pieces squeezing the excess oil using a spatula or tong. Place the chicken directly on a wire rack or absorbent paper to absorb the oil. In this way, the chicken will remain crispy and crunchy for a long time.
Video
Notes
- Take the thighs or breast/chest pieces of chicken without skin
- Hammering and pounding chicken can make it more tender and juicy from the inside.
- Don't over-spice the chicken pieces.
- Overnight marination is good!
- For signature fried chicken texture, always fry chicken at high to medium flame.
- Frying at low temperatures, chicken can release water and will become soggy.
- Never cover chicken pieces right after frying.
- To make it more spicy, add cayenne pepper.
Hinz
Must try this Al baik chicken recipe and don't forget to share your feedback. It will encourage to make more recipes. Made with love and care! (Inspired version of Al Baik chicken).