Chicken Skin Chips (Crackling) Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Chicken Skin Chips, also known as crackling, made by rendering chicken skin until golden brown and seasoned with a blend of spices. Perfect as a crunchy snack or garnish for stir fries, noodles, and soups.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 8 servings of chicken skin chips 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Chicken Skin Chips
- ½ lb chicken skin (about 8 pieces from thigh or breast, including excess yellow fat)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Prepare the pan: Place the chicken skin face down in a cold nonstick pan along with any excess chicken fat present. This ensures even cooking and fat rendering.
- Start cooking: Turn the heat to medium and cook until you hear a sizzling sound, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Simmer with water: Add ½ cup of water to the pan and bring it to a high simmer. Then reduce the heat to medium, allowing the water to evaporate while the chicken fat renders and the skin crisps up. Flip the skin as needed until it turns a deep golden brown.
- Drain and season: Remove the crispy chicken skin chips from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain excess fat. In a small bowl, mix together kosher salt, white pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix over the hot chicken skin chips to enhance their flavor.
- Serve or store: Cut the chicken skin into bite-sized pieces to use as a crunchy topping for stir fries, noodles, or soups. Strain the rendered chicken fat into a glass or airtight container for future use in cooking potatoes or vegetables.
Notes
- Use a nonstick pan to prevent sticking and ensure easier crisping of the chicken skin.
- The addition of water helps render the fat and prevents the skin from burning early.
- Flip the skin carefully for an even crisp without tearing it.
- Season while the skin is still hot to better absorb the spices.
- Save the rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) for cooking other dishes; it adds a rich flavor.
Keywords: Chicken skin chips, chicken crackling, crispy chicken skin, snack, chicken fat rendering, savory snack