Can I use chicken breast instead of mixed cuts?

Yes, chicken breast works, but it may be less juicy than mixed cuts. Marinating longer helps keep it moist.

What can I substitute for calamansi juice?

Fresh lemon or lime juice is a great substitute if calamansi is not available.

How do I keep the chicken crispy after frying?

Place fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels and avoid covering it, so steam doesn’t soften the coating.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can fry the chicken ahead and re-crisp it in a hot oven before drizzling with garlic butter sauce.

How do I make it less spicy?

Reduce the number of siling labuyo peppers or remove the seeds before cooking for a milder version.

Is margarine necessary, or can I use only butter?

Margarine adds a distinct flavor and helps prevent the sauce from solidifying too quickly, but you can use all butter if preferred.

Buttered Chicken

Name: Buttered Chicken
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2000 gram chicken (mixed cut); 60 ml calamansi juice; 60 ml fish sauce; 2 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 teaspoon black pepper (ground); 0.5 teaspoon five spice powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 180 ml egg whites; 120 gram cake flour; 240 gram cake flour; 240 gram potato or cassava starch; 1 teaspoon salt (fine); 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (ground); 240 gram butter; 240 gram margarine; 240 gram garlic (coarsely minced); siling labuyo (sliced (8-12 pieces))

Buttered chicken in this style is built around contrast: crisp fried chicken, fragrant garlic, and a rich butter sauce that coats the crust without turning it soggy right away. It is the kind of dish that lands best on a table with hot rice and something sharp on the side to cut through the richness.

The marinade adds most of the seasoning before the coating ever hits the oil, so the chicken still tastes full even under the butter. Once fried, the garlic sauce brings in the extra savoriness and the slight heat that makes the dish feel more than just fried chicken with melted butter.

This is a better party dish than it first looks. You can marinate the chicken ahead of time, fry in batches, and finish with the butter sauce close to serving.

What Helps Buttered Chicken Stay Crisp

Letting the breaded chicken fry in properly heated oil is what builds the crust you want. If the oil is too cool, the coating absorbs fat before it sets and the texture gets heavy.

It also helps to pour or toss the butter sauce over the chicken just before it hits the table. That keeps the garlic flavor strong while giving the coating a better chance of staying crisp in spots.

Serving And Storage Notes

Serve buttered chicken with steamed rice, pickled papaya, or a cucumber salad. If you want something lighter alongside it, sautéed greens work well too.

Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer, then refreshed with a small amount of warmed sauce. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the crust.