Fried Chicken Is 10x More Delicious When You Grab This Classic Packet Of Seasoning

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Crispy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and succulent fried chicken is one of life's wonders. Whether you're a pro home chef, just an amateur, or you only go out to find your favorite fried chicken, everyone certainly has their flavor preferences. If you're going out, some fried chicken chains are better than others. And, however skilled you are in the kitchen, there are some expert tips that will give you the crispiest fried chicken. One trick gives you some of the most flavorful chicken with only one little seasoning sachet; with it, you can take your fried chicken to a whole new level entirely. The next time you're making fried chicken at home, you should reach for a packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing Mix (or any ranch mix you have will work).

Once you've tried ranch fried chicken, you might never go back. It's a pre-mixed masterclass in seasoning ingenuity that goes perfectly with the crispy chicken breading — full of salty, savory, aromatic flavor and earthy, herbaceous undertones: salt, a little MSG, some garlic and onion — all flavors that will shine in a deep-fried batter. It's super simple to use and can up your home cooking game tenfold without any extra work. Just add some ranch seasoning to your breading mix (or your marinade, should you marinate chicken before you batter) and reap the rewards of the Hidden Valley.

For the simplest preparation, you're going to need about a tablespoon and a half of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning for every cup of flour you use in your fried chicken breading mix. However, when using other dried spices in your breading, you can emulsify them together with the ranch powder in your blender or food processor. Just remember, the first ingredient in Hidden Valley Ranch powder is salt, followed closely by garlic powder, so you might want to adjust the other ingredients to prevent it from being too overpowering on the palate. That said, if you like a flavor bomb, the ranch powder can provide it. 

If you're planning to make a huge batch, or want it on hand for other recipes, Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning in the bottle, not the sachet, may be the way to go. And with the shaker bottle, you can just add a dash to your already-fried chicken for some extra flavor. You can even use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (the liquid stuff) to create a simple marinade for your dredge. The chicken should be refrigerated and coated in the dressing for about an hour, then breaded and fried. If you're using the dried shaker version of Hidden Valley, it's an easy way to pep up your french fries or popcorn. And ranch seasoning is always a great addition to salmon or a simple way to flavor your pasta. However, if you have it in the pantry, don't forget about the fried chicken.