Why do many fried chicken recipies include milk?

[Vicky08]

I've noticed that many fried chicken recipies say to boil the chicken in milk beforehand. What does the milk actually do? Does it give it more flavour? or make the end result crispier? If I leave out this step will the end result be a complete disaster?

TIA

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

It'll be for flavour and the fat in the milk will help to retain some moisture. If you don't pre-cook before breading/battering it I suppose the danger is that the outside will be overcooked and the inside still raw.

[Inneedofbrandy]

It's to with the milk soaks into the chicken to stop the fat soaking in. You can soak in milk over night instead of boiling. I have never done both and my fried chicken is lurverly.

[Vicky08]

Ah, so it's not absolutley necessary. I could just cook the chicken in stock and then fry it. I don't know why but the idea of chicken cooked in milk isn't very appealing to me.

[NettoSpookerstar]

The recipe I use doesn't pre cook the chicken or use milk.
It does use buttermilk but that's for the coating.
here and here

[Vicky08]

Thanks Netto that recipe looks good.

[Vicky08]

Is that blog yours Netto? The picture of the fried chicken on it looks nicer than the one on the epicurious site.

[NettoSpookerstar]

Yes it is, and thank you
It's very amateur, just sharing with people what we eat really.

[moreyear]

The lactic acid is meant to tenderise the meat I think.

[Bunbaker]

Doesn't Nigella do a chicken dish that requires soaking the chicken in buttermilk first?

I love the look of that fried chicken Netto and will definitely give it a try. It sounds delicious.

[NettoSpookerstar]

It really is, and you know exactly what's gone in it.
We love fried chicken.