RecipeStripper

Clean recipe · provecho.co

Popeyes-Style Loaded Cajun Fries 🍟

Original recipe: provecho.co

Yield:
2 servings
Cook:
4 hr
Total:
4 hr
Open cooking tools

Adjust servings, check off ingredients, and save a copy in the recipe reader.

Popeyes-Style Loaded Cajun Fries 🍟

Ingredients

  1. For the Chicken + Marinade:
  2. 1 –2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  3. 1 cup buttermilk
  4. 1 whole egg
  5. 2 tbsp pickle juice
  6. 1 tbsp Louisiana style hot sauce
  7. 1.5 tsp kosher salt
  8. 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
  9. 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  10. 0.75 tsp onion powder
  11. 0.75 tsp cayenne
  12. 0.5 tsp white pepper
  13. 0.5 tsp black pepper
  14. 1 tsp dried oregano
  15. 1 tsp dried thyme
  16. pinch MSG (optional)
  17. For the Upgraded Blackened Ranch (my version):
  18. 0.75 cup mayo
  19. 0.3333333333333333 cup sour cream
  20. 0.3333333333333333 cup buttermilk
  21. 2 –3 cloves garlic (grated)
  22. 1 tsp lemon zest
  23. 2 tsp lemon juice
  24. 0.5 tbsp honey
  25. 2 tbsp finely chopped herbs (dill, chives, etc.)
  26. 0.5 tsp onion powder
  27. 2 tsp smoked paprika
  28. 0.25 tsp white pepper
  29. 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  30. 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  31. 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  32. Salt (to taste)
  33. Black pepper (to taste)
  34. Cayenne (to taste)
  35. Louisiana style hot sauce (to taste)
  36. pinch MSG (optional)
  37. pinch chili powder (optional)
  38. For the Fries:
  39. 3 –4 russet potatoes (skin on, cut into fries)
  40. Oil for frying
  41. For the Seasoned Flour + Fry Batter:
  42. 1 cup all purpose flour
  43. 0.5 cup cornstarch
  44. 1 tbsp baking powder
  45. Same dry seasonings as marinade
  46. Cold sparkling water
  47. 2 tbsp marinade
  48. For the Easy Cheese Sauce:
  49. 0.75 cup whole milk
  50. 0.5 cup shredded white cheddar (or mozzarella)
  51. 2 –3 slices white American cheese
  52. 1 tsp garlic powder
  53. 1 tsp onion powder
  54. Salt (to taste)
  55. Pepper (to taste)
  56. For the Toppings:
  57. Green onions (sliced)
  58. Red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. For the Chicken + Marinade:
  2. Marinate the ChickenIn a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Add chicken, fully submerge, cover, and refrigerate overnight (minimum 2 hours).
  3. For the Blackened Ranch
  4. Make the Blackened RanchWhisk everything together until smooth. Adjust with buttermilk if needed. Season to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
  5. For the Fries:
  6. Soak the FriesAdd cut fries to cold water and soak for 45-60 minutes. Drain and dry completely.
  7. Make the Seasoned Flour + BatterCombine all seasoned flour ingredients in a bowl. Move about 1/3 to a second bowl and whisk in cold sparkling water until a thin batter forms (for fries). In the original bowl, mix in 2 tbsp chicken marinade to create craggly bits.
  8. Preheat the OilHeat oil or beef tallow to 350°F in a deep pot or fryer about 1/3–1/2 full.
  9. For the Easy Cheese Sauce:
  10. Make the Cheese SauceWhile the oil preheats, in a saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk. Add cheese and American cheese slices, whisking until smooth. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper. Keep warm on low (or reheat gently before building).
  11. Bread the Chicken (Double Dredge)Remove chicken from marinade (don’t pat dry). Dredge in dry seasoned flour, pressing to coat. Dip back into marinade. Dredge again in flour, pressing firmly to fully coat.
  12. Fry the ChickenCarefully lower into oil and fry 6–8 minutes until golden and 165°F internal. Drain on a clean wire rack, rest briefly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  13. Fry the FriesDip dried fries lightly into the wet batter, letting excess drip off. Fry at 350°F in the same fry oil until crispy and golden. Drain and season with salt & pepper immediately.
  14. Build the Loaded FriesFries → cheese sauce → crispy chicken → blackened ranch → more cheese sauce → green onions → red pepper flakes. Enjoy, friends :)