The performance of a methyl cellulose-treated coating during the frying of a poultry product

The performance of coatings treated with a range of methyl cellulose (MC) concentrations during the frying of coated chicken breasts was investigated. Chicken breasts were immersed in 0, 1 and 2.5% MC solution and then coated with a commercial coating mix. The coated chicken breasts were then fried at an initial temperature of 190 °C. Parameters measured included coating pickup, coating loss, cooked yield and frying loss. Results showed a significant increase in coating pickup with the use of 1 and 2.5% MC, which may have been due to the higher viscosity and binding ability of the MC layer. The use of 2.5% MC produced lower coating loss and frying loss and also a higher cooked yield.