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So you've got your chicken ready to fry. Can you use olive oil to create the perfect juicy piece of chicken? Is it healthy? Is it safe? Is it tasty? Yes and no. Let's look into the case for frying chicken in olive oil. Should You Fry Chicken In Olive Oil?Frying chicken in olive oil is, of course, not the simple question it may seem. There are many variables one has to take into account. There's the question of the type of olive oil, the smoke point of the oil, your dietary needs, and your wallet's needs. In terms of whether you should fry chicken in olive oil or not, the answer depends on the specific oil you're using. More recent studies show that frying in olive oil is generally safe. But make sure it's a high quality oil with a higher smoke point, especially when it comes to deep frying. Smoke temperature of olive oilThe smoke point of olive oil varies between 374-405°F, give or take some tens of degrees(1). Thus, if you're going to fry chicken in olive oil, it may be best to use an olive oil with a higher smoke point, such as a quality EVOO. Consequences of low smoke pointDue to the fact that they tend to burn when heated too high, cooking with low smoke point oils isn't necessarily great for the taste of your dish. Burnt oil can produce a bitter taste, as well as create acrolein, a byproduct that could potentially change DNA, making it a possible carcinogen (2). However, you have to remember that the amount and longevity of exposure influences the degree to which harmful byproducts could affect you. So, if you're just a home cook and you experience a little smokiness every once in a while, there should not be cause for alarm! Just be careful about how often, how long, and at what temperature you cook your food. Taste of Frying with Olive OilNow, health and safety aren't the only components of a culinary experience. You also want to make sure the food you are preparing tastes good! If you use olive oil and burn it, as we've gone over, you might not enjoy the bitter, burnt taste (if that's your thing though, go for it!) However, if you make sure to fry it below the smoke point, the olive oil can produce a rich, flavorful taste. If you're worried about burning your chicken or you're unsure of the quality of your olive oil, then you can use another vegetable oil with a higher smoke point. Can You Deep Fry With Olive Oil (in general)?You can deep fry with olive oil, especially better quality ones. As we've mentioned, the smoke point of olive oil ranges from mid 300s°F to low 400s°F. Deep frying occurs around 350°F (3). So, if you have a high quality olive oil with a smoke point in the higher range, then you should be able to deep fry your food in it. That said, deep frying with a good olive oil could be expensive and you could lose the particular flavor of the oil. Keep that in mind when choosing your oil! What about Pan Frying Chicken Instead?Pan frying heat levels vary from 200-400°F (4). When pan frying chicken, you'll probably want to be somewhere in the 350°F range (5). Given these facts, you can definitely pan fry chicken, and using olive oil should be fine. Even an olive oil with a lower smoke point could work, but, in the end, it's up to your personal preference! Best Oils to use when Frying ChickenTastiest OilThough taste is subjective, the best chicken taste will come from an oil that doesn't burn easily. Most high smoke point oils, such as canola, sunflower, safflower, or peanut would fall into this category. They also have a fairly neutral taste, allowing the seasoning and the chicken to shine through. If you want to save an extra penny though, going for a vegetable oil blend will be the most cost-effective (6). That way you can make multiple batches of chicken and show off to everyone. A win-win. Healthiest OilOlive oil does happen to be the healthiest oil to use when frying. Its high levels of polyphenols and polyunsaturated fats give it the extra boost in nutrition points. Though it might lose some polyphenols when heated, olive oil still ranks in as healthiest. In fact, when tested against other oils in a heat comparison, olive oil remained the most stable and released the fewest harsh chemicals during the experiment (7). So if you do choose to fry with olive oil, you can do so with the knowledge that you're picking a brain and heart-healthy choice!
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