Chicken bryan (also known as chicken Bryan) is an American comfort food that’s been around since at least the early 1900s.
It was created by chef James Edward “Jimmie” Bryan who served it during his time working at New York City restaurants.
The original version included fried chicken pieces along with various other meats such as ham or sausage.
Since then, there have been numerous versions of this classic dish which all include some form of meat.
With this article, we look into what makes chicken bryan so special and how you can cook up your own tasty rendition of this beloved meal.
What Is Chicken Bryan?
Chick-fil-A is one of America’s most famous fast food chains and its signature item is the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich.
So much so that it has become synonymous with the chain itself.
This sandwich is also a favorite among many people across the globe including those living in Canada and Mexico where they call it the “Chicken Buns” because of the shape of the bun.
It is important to note that these sandwiches are not actually made from bread but rather chicken nuggets.
The chicken tenders on the menu are deep-fried and placed inside a white bun.
Then, various toppings are added onto them like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and more before being doused in different dipping sauces.
In fact, you might even see the word “bun” used interchangeably when referring to the actual chicken tender sandwich.
But don’t let this put you off! You’ll still be able to get your fill of deliciousness thanks to the rest of the items available on the menu.
So if you’re looking for something sweet, savory, salty, crunchy, and juicy, then read on to find out exactly what makes chicken bryan unique.
How does chicken bryan differ from regular chicken wings?
While both dishes involve chicken, the differences between the two lies mainly in their preparation methods.
Chicken wings are usually cooked using either a frying pan or oven while chicken bryan is typically prepared through slow cooking techniques like braising or stewing.
If you prefer your wings dry instead of wet, then you should probably avoid trying to make chicken bryan.
However, if you want to stick with the traditional method, then here’s a quick guide on making chicken bryans that will ensure you end up with a mouthwatering experience.
- First, cut each wing in half lengthwise.
- Then, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil over high heat until hot enough to sizzle.
- Add chicken pieces and sear them for about 5 minutes on each side.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large pot and cover them with water.
- Bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover the pot and simmer the chicken for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until almost done.
- Remove the lid and continue simmering for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Strain the liquid once cooled down and add butter, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the mixture.
- Once combined, pour it back into the pot and stir well.
- Cook the sauce on low for 10 minutes until heated enough to coat the chicken evenly.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
- Place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, skin sides facing upward.
- Broil the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is piping hot.
Are buffalo chicken wings similar to chicken bryans?
Buffalo chicken wings are quite popular in North Carolina where they originated.
They are often referred to as chicken wings dipped in a sauce made primarily from blue cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese, and Frank’s RedHot sauce.
However, unlike chicken bryans, Buffalo chicken wings do not contain any kind of meat.
Instead, they consist solely of boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a spicy buffalo sauce.
What Are The Ingredients In Chicken Bryan?
There are many different recipes for chicken bryans out there, but they all fall under one of two categories – those that use boneless skinless chicken breasts and those that use whole chickens.
The latter method allows the diner to control the amount of fat they consume while still enjoying the taste of the meat.
In terms of the meat used, most traditional chicken bryans feature white meat from either chicken thighs or drumsticks.
However, these days, more chefs prefer using dark meat because of its richness in flavor and texture.
When it comes to the sauce, there are three main types: barbecue sauce, cream gravy, and honey mustard.
These may be combined together or used separately depending on preference.
If you’re looking to serve a crowd, you might want to consider adding sides like mashed potatoes and cornbread.
If you don’t eat dairy products, you can also substitute sour cream for the butter to keep things vegan-friendly.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Chopped parsley
- Butter
- Bacon bits
- Sour cream
Whole Chickens
- Freshly ground pepper
- Ginger garlic paste
- Cayenne pepper
- Honey Dijon mixture
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Vegetable oil
How Do You Make Chicken Bryan?
A lot has changed over the years when it comes to Chicken Bryan recipes.
The first thing you need to know about making Chicken Bryan is that you’ll likely be cooking everything on top of the stove.
In modern times, many people prefer to use their oven rather than fryers to prepare traditional foods like chicken bryan because they believe it cooks faster and more evenly.
If you want to go the frying route though, don’t worry – you can still enjoy great tasting chicken bryan!
You just may need to adjust a few things before you get started.
- You will need a deep fryer or large pot with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan completely. If using a regular skillet instead, add enough oil to coat the surface of the pan thoroughly.
- Next, heat up your oil until it reaches 350 F / 180 C degrees.
- Now take your chicken breasts and cut them into strips approximately 1 inch thick. You’re looking for 8-10 pieces per person.
- Once you’ve got your chicken ready, season each piece with salt and pepper.
- Then drop one piece of chicken into the hot oil and let sit for 2 minutes before removing from the oil and placing onto paper towels. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- While waiting for your chicken to cool down slightly, place onion slices, green bell peppers, celery, garlic, red wine vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- In another bowl, combine water, corn starch, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, sugar, egg yolk, and Tabasco sauce together. Combine well and set aside.
- When the chicken is cooled off, dip each piece into the seasoned liquid mixture and then place back on a wire rack to dry out.
- After drying, toss each piece of chicken into the bowl containing the onions, peppers, celery, and garlic. Let marinate for 30 minutes while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
- To prepare the bacon bits, chop up 1/4 pound of sliced bacon and lay flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place under the broiler until crispy.
- Take care not to burn these bits. Remove after 3-5 minutes and allow to cool.
- Add the bacon bits to the bowl containing the onions, peppers, celery, and garlic.
- Combine all of the ingredients except the eggs and milk together in a small mixing bowl.
- Place eggs and milk in separate bowls and whisk together lightly. Set both aside.
- Heat up the oil again in the same frying pan used for the chicken. Once heated, pour in half of the batter mix consisting of flour and buttermilk. Stir constantly until smooth.
- Carefully lower each piece of chicken into the mixture and gently flip halfway through cooking. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- Remove cooked chicken and drain on paper towel.
- Repeat steps 6 – 10 above only replacing the wet ingredients with the dry ones.
- Dip the finished chicken into the beaten egg and then roll in the bread crumbs.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips for Making Chicken Bryan
First, make sure you buy boneless chicken breast cuts if possible.
Boned chicken tenders might work too, although they aren’t quite as flavorful.
Also, you should choose thighs instead of legs.
Legs require longer cooking time and are harder to turn over.
For best results, try cooking the chicken in batches.
Each batch takes roughly two minutes to cook.
When adding the chicken to the batter, avoid overcrowding the pan.
Otherwise, the chicken won’t be able to move much during cooking.
Lastly, once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the batter, stir very carefully.
Overmixing can result in lumps forming in the batter. These lumps could cause clogging issues later on.
What Is The History Of Chicken Bryan?
In 1903, Jimmie Bryan opened a restaurant called The White Horse Inn in Manhattan.
He later went on to open more restaurants where he continued serving chicken bryans until 1932 when he retired from cooking due to illness.
During his career, Bryan became famous for his chicken bryans which were served with many different kinds of toppings including macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, and even cornbread dressing.
His recipes are still popular today but differ slightly from those of decades past.
Bryan also introduced new items like chicken and dumplings, chili con carne, and biscuits and gravy to menus across America.
Today, chicken bryans are often found on school lunch programs while other restaurants serve them alongside their regular menu options.
How much does chicken bryan cost per pound?
A typical chicken bryan costs $7-$10 per pound depending on whether it includes additional ingredients or not.
Some establishments may charge extra if they use boneless skinless breasts instead of whole chickens.
Boneless skinless breasts tend to be cheaper than full-sized birds because they don’t require any cutting.
Where are chicken bryans available?
You can find chicken bryans at most grocery stores and fast food chains.
They typically come in individual portions or can be ordered online through websites like Amazon or Google Express.
Many people order these meals every week using delivery services such as Grubhub or Door Dash.
How Did Chicken Bryan Get Its Name?
Chickens were brought to America from Europe in the 16th century.
In the 1600s, chickens weren’t domesticated enough to be raised commercially but they became more common by the 1800s when people started raising them on farms.
James Edward “Jimmie” Bryan was born in 1882 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When he was just 10 years old, Jimmie moved to New York where he worked as a waiter at a hotel.
Jimmie eventually opened his own restaurant and named it after himself.
In addition to being the namesake of his restaurant, Jimmie also had several other nicknames including Chicken King and The Original Chicken Man.
He gained fame among chefs because of his ability to create delicious meals using simple ingredients like eggs, butter, milk, and salt.
What Are Some Popular Chicken Bryan Recipes?
There are several different ways to make chicken bryans, but they usually contain one common ingredient: bacon.
Many of these dishes use either bacon strips or thick cut bacon bits in order to give them flavor.
- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
- Thick Cut Bacon Chicken
- Baked Biscuit Chicken
- Cajun Fried Chicken
- Sausage And Peppers Chicken
But chicken bryans aren’t just limited to bacon.
They also incorporate vegetables like tomatoes, green peppers, onions, celery, mushrooms, and even corn on the cob.
These ingredients help create complex flavors that complement each other well.
The combination of sweet and salty tastes from the bacon and vegetables goes perfectly together because they both add something unique to the overall taste of the meal.
How to Make Your Own Chicken Bryan Recipe
If you want to try out a new chicken bryan recipe, there are plenty of options available online!
You can find tons of easy-to-follow recipes for making delicious chicken bryans that will surely satisfy your craving.
Here are three great examples of chicken bryans that you should definitely check out if you’re looking for inspiration.
1. Cajun Fried Chicken
This recipe is perfect for those who love spicy foods.
If you do too, this Cajun Fried Chicken recipe is a must-try.
It starts off with a simple marinade that includes lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar.
After letting the chicken soak in this mixture for about 30 minutes, it’s ready to be deep-fried.
After frying the chicken, you’ll need to bake it inside of a casserole dish until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once it does, you can serve it with homemade white rice and gravy. Yum!
2. Sausage And Peppers Chicken
Another good example of a chicken bryan recipe is this recipe for sausages and peppers chicken.
This dish has everything you could ask for when it comes to savory goodness.
It uses fresh ground chicken, Italian seasoning, onion flakes, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and thyme.
You start by cooking the ground chicken before adding it to a pan with all of the aforementioned spices.
Then, once the chicken is cooked through, you let it cool down completely before putting it back in the pan again and covering it with sauce.
Once the sauce covers the whole piece of chicken, you put it under the broiler until it gets nice and crispy.
Finally, after taking it out of the oven, you top it with cheese, more sauce, and additional toppings like diced bell peppers and chopped basil leaves.
3. Thick Cut Bacon Chicken
For anyone who loves bacon, this recipe for thick cut bacon chicken is a must-try.
It incorporates almost every single ingredient that most fans of chicken bryans would love to see.
First, you place the chicken breasts in a bowl filled with cold water.
Next, you drain them and pat them dry with paper towels.
Finally, you season them with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ cup of brown sugar, and two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Then, you wrap the entire chicken breast in a thin layer of bacon and secure it using toothpicks.
You continue doing this until you cover the entire chicken breast with bacon slices.
When you finish wrapping, you refrigerate it for 12 hours.
At this point, you take the chicken out of the fridge and pop it onto a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil.
Bake it at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes before serving it with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.
What Are Some Variations Of Chicken Bryan?
There are many different ways to make chicken bryan but here are just a few of them:
- Bacon Chicken Bryan – Bacon chicken bryans take things one step further than regular chicken bryans. They feature strips of crisp bacon instead of the usual piece of meat used in the traditional chicken bryan recipe.
- Cajun Chicken Bryan – Cajun chicken bryans use spicy brown mustard sauce over top of the chicken. The spice level on these meals varies from mild to very hot.
- Buffalo Chicken Bryan – Buffalo chicken bryans are made using buffalo wings as a main ingredient. These dishes are typically served cold and usually topped with blue cheese dressing.
- Pork Chop Bryan – Pork chop bryans are more like pork chops which are cooked in butter with onions, garlic, and herbs before being added to the skillet with the chicken. A thick gravy is poured over top after cooking to create a rich flavor.
- Turkey Bryan – Turkey bryans are made using ground turkey meat seasoned with sage, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. These bryans are generally served with mashed potatoes.
- Barbecue Chicken Bryan – Barbecued chicken bryans are traditionally served with barbecue sauce while they are still warm. However, they also work well when reheated in the microwave.
- BBQ Chicken Bryan – BBQ chicken bryans are prepared using smoked chicken thighs and ribs along with barbeque sauce. These bryans are often served with macaroni salad and cornbread muffins.
What Are Some Tips For Making Chicken Bryan?
There are many different ways to prepare chicken bryan, but they generally fall into one of two categories:
- Fried chicken bryans – these are typically found in Southern states where fried chicken is king. These tend to be quite simple dishes while using basic ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, and butter.
- Smoked chicken bryans – these recipes usually call for smoking the chicken before cooking it in order to give them extra flavor. The smoky flavors come from either smoked salt or applewood chips.
You should also consider adding some extras to your chicken bryan if you want to take it to the next level.
Some examples of popular additions include:
- Bacon – add slices of cooked bacon on top of the finished product
- Sausage – add links of cooked sausage on top of the finished product
- Ham – add strips of cooked ham on top of the finished product
- Pumpkin seeds – sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds over the finished product
- Pepperoni – slice pepperoni on top of the finished product
- Cheddar cheese – grate cheddar cheese over the finished product
- Green onions – chop green onion tops and scatter over the finished product
- Chili sauce – use chili sauce instead of ketchup on the finished product
- Ranch dressing – drizzle ranch salad dressing over the finished product
If you really want to get creative, you could even try mixing and matching different types of meat together.
For example, you might combine a couple of different kinds of bacon, pork belly, and pulled beef to create something new altogether!
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Making Chicken Bryan?
When cooking chicken bryan, remember that it should be cooked thoroughly, especially if you want to get rid of any bacteria present on the chicken.
You also need to ensure that the sauce used has no traces of onion or garlic, otherwise, they will give off strong odors after being heated.
Another mistake many people make while preparing chicken bryan is using too much oil.
The more oil you use, the less flavor your chicken bryan will retain.
To avoid this issue, try sticking to lighter oils like vegetable oil instead of extra virgin olive oil or peanut oil.
Lastly, don’t forget about seasoning your chicken bryans.
Seasoning your food properly is essential in order to add flavor and prevent dryness.
A good way to do this is to rub the skin of your chicken with salt before putting it in the oven.
These are just some of the most common mistakes people make when cooking chicken bryan.
There are plenty of others out there including improper timing, not having enough ingredients, and over-cooking your chicken bryans.
If you find yourself stuck in one of these situations, check out our guide on how to fix common problems found in recipes.
What Are Some Things To Keep In Mind When Making Chicken Bryan?
Since chicken bryans are typically made with a lot of different ingredients, one thing to remember is that they should be cooked properly if you want them to taste good.
This includes cooking the meat through before adding any sauce.
The same goes for using fresh herbs instead of dried ones.
Another important step is ensuring that everything cooks evenly throughout. If you don’t do this right, you could end up with a mess on your hands!
Cooking temperatures
One of the most crucial factors when preparing chicken bryans is knowing the correct temperature requirements.
For instance, if you use frozen chicken breasts, you need to ensure that they are thawed completely first.
After that, heat them up over medium-high heat until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you decide to use boneless skinless chicken thighs, follow these exact instructions:
Remove the bones from the chicken thighs, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake them in a preheated oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
Once done, let the chicken cool down and chop into bite sized pieces before proceeding further.
Lastly, if you plan on using fresh chicken breast fillets, you will need to add extra time to the cooking process.
Cook them according to the following guidelines: Place the raw chicken breast fillet onto a cutting board, and season it with salt and pepper.
Next, put it back onto the cutting board, and rub it with oil.
Then, pop it onto a hot skillet, and sear it for five seconds per side.
Afterward, remove it from heat and set aside to rest for 10 minutes.
Once done resting, slice each piece of chicken lengthwise to create two thin slices.
Set them aside for another 5 minutes before placing them into a large bowl filled with ice water.
Let the chicken soak for 15 minutes, after which drain off the excess liquid.
How long does it take to fully cook a whole bird?
When preparing a whole chicken, you’ll want to allow it to sit in its own juices for approximately 30 minutes before doing anything else.
Make sure not to overcook it because that would lead to dryness and tough meat.
To check whether it’s done, prick the thigh joint with a fork multiple times.
When you feel blood oozing out, the chicken is ready to eat.
Equipment
- Zip-loc bag
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless skinless , around 100g each
- 2 tbsp olive oil 28g
- 2 tbsp butter 28g
- 8 g garlic cloves minced
- 125 g yellow onion small, minced
- 15 g sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 3 ounces goat cheese or cream cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Parsley to taste
The Sauce
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 tbsp lemon juice 28g, fresh
- 8 leaves basil chopped, fresh
- 6 tbsp butter 81g
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken breasts by rubbing them with olive oil and seasoning them with salt, pepper, and parsley to taste.
- Then, place the chicken in a Zip-loc bag or a dish with a cover in the fridge for about 30 minutes to marinate.
- To make the sauce, combine the white wine and lemon juice in a saucepan and reduce the liquid for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Add 6 tablespoons butter to the saucepan once the liquid has reduced.
- After it has melted, add half of the chopped basil leaves and turn the heat down low.
- Set aside your chopped onion and sun-dried tomatoes for now.
- At this point, your chicken should have been marinating for at least 30 minutes, so heat a skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
- When the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic, and 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet.
- Cook until the garlic and onions are soft and translucent.
- When that happens, push the onions and garlic to the side of the pan and add the chicken. If necessary, add a little oil to the skillet to keep the chicken from sticking.
- Cook for approximately 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken can also be grilled. Simply cook it for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Top the cooked chicken with goat cheese or cream cheese.
- Then top with the sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle with the lemon basil butter sauce.
- Finish with the remaining chopped basil leaves and serve.
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