Pioneer Take-Out Fried Chicken

6 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Shatteringly crisp, flavorful Pioneer Fried Chicken that tastes so nostalgic you will feel like you’ve gone back in time!

Easy to make, only takes five minutes to make the wet batter and straight into the fryer! Serve with corn on the cob and your favorite Cole Slaw to make this meal complete.

Pioneer Fried Chicken in a basket with red checkered paper

Are you by any chance a kid of the 80s? Are you from Southern California? Do you remember Saved By The Bell? Ok ok, the last one doesn’t really apply, but this Pioneer Fried Chicken is legendary and going the way of Latin since the chain began closing shops years ago. Currently there are only a couple of Pioneer Chickens left and those that still exist haven’t been updated in 20 years.

Pioneer Fried Chicken logo

Nothing is worse than craving a nostalgic regional food and not being able to find it. When I lived in DC and had major pregnancy cravings for this chicken, I scoured the internet and found absolutely NO recipes. A lot of people were talking about how much they missed Pioneer Chicken and how it was a food memory they treasured, but no one could decode the dish in a way that would satisfy us all. We grew up with this chicken, we all agreed KFC should’ve gone the way of the dinosaurs instead of Pioneer Chicken, yet here we were with two outdated fledgling locations left.

Pioneer Fried Chicken in a basket with red checkered paper

After much research and recipe testing, JACKPOT. In the strangest of places, some guy had made a youtube video of the recipe where he mixes and fries it with no audio and no recipe to copy. Taking old school pencil and paper notes, I could tell he was on to something when that wet batter come together. Sure enough when it came out of the oil it was gorgeous! The perfect orange brown tinted shade, with a smooth surface. It may not sound exciting to you if you aren’t familiar with Pioneer Chicken, but if you know what I am talking about here you are probably salivating as you read this.

For many who grew up in LA, this chicken is as much a childhood memory as playing Mario and all the wonder of Nintendo. It might be funny when to talk about video games, but I think every one of us has memories of being a kid and playing them! You can make this chicken for your kids while they enjoy today’s video games, and they might carry on the tradition! Next thing you know you’ll be buying them one of those pencil cases with hidden compartments… Or maybe just make more nostalgic copycat recipes like Tommy’s Chili, In-N-Out Animal Style Fries, and Hostess Cupcakes for dessert.

Pioneer Fried Chicken uncooked thigh coated with dry ingredients

How to Make Pioneer Fried Chicken

  • Mix all the dry ingredients except for the reserved ¼ cup cornstarch. Add the water and whisk.
  • Put ¼ cup of cornstarch in shallow pan and coat chicken with it.
  • Dip the chicken that has been coated in cornstarch into the wet batter until completely coated. Let drip for a couple of seconds.
  • Fry in 350 degree peanut or canola oil. for 8-10 minutes until cooked through in small batches.
  • Drain on metal rack, not paper towels, that would make it soggy.
Pioneer Fried Chicken wet batter in mixing bowl with whisk


How to Store Pioneer Fried Chicken

  • Serve: Don’t leave cooked chicken at room temperature longer than 2 hours before refrigerating.
  • Store: Fried Chicken will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator, sealed in an airtight container. 
  • Freeze: Wrapped tightly in plastic, freeze Fried Chicken up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or reheat from frozen in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-40 minutes. Reheat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Pioneer Fried Chicken on wire rack

Pin this recipe now to remember it later

Pin Recipe

Pioneer Fried Chicken

Shatteringly crisp, flavorful Pioneer Fried Chicken that tastes so nostalgic you will feel like you've gone back in time!
Yield 6 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Author Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients
 

  • 1 chicken , cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch , ¼ cup reserved for coating
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 cups peanut or canola oil

Instructions

  • Mix all the dry ingredients except for the reserved ¼ cup cornstarch.
  • Add the water and whisk.
  • Put ¼ cup of cornstarch in shallow pan and coat chicken with it.
  • Dip the chicken that has been coated in cornstarch into the wet batter until completely coated.
  • Let drip for a couple of seconds and gently lower into pot of oil.
  • Fry in 350 degree peanut or canola oil. for 8-10 minutes until cooked through in small batches.
  • Drain on metal rack, not paper towels, that would make it soggy.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Youtube.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1244mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Keyword: Pioneer Fried Chicken, Pioneer Take-Out Fried Chicken (Copycat)
Pioneer Fried Chicken Collage

Photo used in a previous version of this post.Shatteringly crisp, flavorful Pioneer Fried Chicken that tastes so nostalgic you will feel like you've gone back in time! Easy to make, only takes five minutes to make the wet batter and straight into the fryer! Serve with corn on the cob and your favorite cole slaw to make this meal complete!

Shatteringly crisp, flavorful Pioneer Fried Chicken that tastes so nostalgic you will feel like you've gone back in time! Easy to make, only takes five minutes to make the wet batter and straight into the fryer! Serve with corn on the cob and your favorite cole slaw to make this meal complete!

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.

She is also the author of the cookbook Dinner, then Dessert – Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients, published by Harper Collins.

She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.

As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.

Sabrina has been certified as a ServSafe Manager since 2007 and was a longstanding member of the USPCA Personal Chef Association including being on the board of the Washington DC Chapter of Chefs in the US Personal Chef Association when they won Chapter of the year.

As a member of the community of food website creators Sabrina Snyder has spoken at many conferences regarding her experiences as a food writer including the Indulge Food Conference, Everything Food Conference, Haven Food Conference and IACP Annual Food Professionals Conference.

Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. If you enjoyed the recipe and would like to publish it on your own site, please re-write it in your own words, and link back to my site and recipe page. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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Comments

  1. I’ve had this pin pinned for a month already and I finally got all the ingredients. The process is a bit messy but the outcome of that crust is so worth it!

  2. Thank you thank you thank you! For the first time in my over 38 years of married life I have FINALLY managed to make amazing fried chicken! I’ve made other attempts over the years with unsatisfactory results….this came out nice and crisp and tender and the meat stayed so moist! When I told hubby that I was going to try fried chicken again the poor fellow had this look of horror on his face lol. Then he took a bite and his eyes lit up! I WILL be making this again!

    1. So glad I was able to play a role in finally getting over that hump! I’m sure your years of practice also played a large role in that too!

  3. I’ve been salivating over the photos of this chicken on Pinterest for MONTHS now, and, to quote Rod Stewart, tonight’s the night. I changed two things — I soaked the chicken pieces all day in buttermilk, and I also put in a few dashes of Maggi seasoning (basically salty, liquid MSG) and reduced the salt by 1/4 of a teaspoon to allow for that. Because I am a heathen and love MSG.

    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!! The flavor, the crispiness…it was truly magnificent. It was a spiritual experience. A sexual experience. My husband fell deeper in love with me. My children looked at me with renewed respect and awe. At least…that’s what I’m telling myself.

  4. I’m so anxious to try this out….almost as good if not better is/was the Hawaiian Sauce (BBQ)!!

    Glad to have this recipe saved again (I found a version a ways back but never got to try it).  Now to search for the sauce recipe…idk why I never ? for it till now.

    I was a cook for PTO and recommend it be done in a “deep” fryer or the bottom crust will get harder & not have the same bite experience (crunchy experience is a flavor in my book), so maybe that should be noted in the recipe.

    It’s sad PTO is gone.  Almost everything they had was as good if not better than El Pollo loco…KFC..&/or Popeyes.

    Mm the fish..chicken strips..gizzards..& even though at the time I had a near puke reflex even the liver was good..it taught me to like well prepared liver.  …badly prepared still can cause the choke puke in me.

    5tars cuz I’m pretty sure the recipe is spot on minus using a fryer.

    1. Oops a note to shake your fryer basket around 3-5 minuets in to keep it from sticking..or it may hit the bottom of the fryer & give more of a pan fried experience.

    2. 9 minuets to cook legs & wings..breasts & thighs take 12 minuets at 350ish f.  Everyone knows breasts and thighs need to get really HOTTTAFIED before they get juicy..depending on your breasts & thighs.

  5. I miss Pioneer Chicken! But do you have a (knock-off) recipe for their side dishes? Btw, thanks for the chicken recipe 

    1. We always just went for chicken, lol!! If you have specific ones you’d like for me to try, let me know!

  6. I had a tongue in the cheek attitude about this recipe, but decided what the heck I’ll try it. I remember a chicken restaurant from long ago with a light tempura -like crust and really moist inside. Wondered if this might be it. Well, I tried it yesterday. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As soon as in bit into the chicken I knew this was the right recipe. Soooooooo light and crunchy and moist inside!!!! Couldn’t wait to report on it. As a side note I bought Red Lobster biscuit mix at the store, mixed it and fried teaspoons of it in the peanut oil afterwards – had the best little biscuits, crunchy and yummy and great with honey butter! (If you haven’t tried Red Lobster baking mix, please do, these biscuits will float out of your hand!!) Thanks for researching this, and I enjoyed reading all the comments. Also I played around a bit with the seasoning – adding garlic, onion, black pepper and a little seasoning salt – only about 1/2 tsp. of each. Hate to admit it but I’m about to have it again for dinner with mustard greens, cornbread, corn on the cob and a green mixed veggie salad. Know my grandkids are going to love this recipe (kids love crunch – so do husbands!) A p.s. – try this with wings to be able to taste a lot of crunch.

    1. This is so awesome! I loved reading your comment and by the way….My recipe for Red Lobster Biscuits is coming soon. Stay tuned!!

  7. I am a kid of the 70s and 80s, but never have had Pioneer Chicken. I stumbled across this recipe and tried it last night. I made chicken tenders with the batter. We were skeptical when the first batch came out of the fryer, but they were delicious! I brined the tenders for a few hours in dill pickle juice, then prepared as instructed. So crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I LOVE the tip on placing the chicken on a rack instead of paper towels. Thank you for a great recipe.

  8. My brother accidentally knocked out my teeth in a pillow fight in the early 80s when I was around
    12 and my dad brought home a bucket of Pioneer and I was so upset  because with my teeth I thought it was too crispy to eat 
    But I managed to work my way thru it . I loved the chicken so much I had to figure out a way 🙂 

    1. The love we have for Pioneer chicken, hahahaha. I love that. I remember waiting in line OUTSIDE because it was so popular and huddling under the overhang of the building in the rain just to get that delicious chicken with my mom and brother.

  9. i did make this and yes, it did look like pioneer chicken…very pretty but not the taste i remember…i live in Sacramento and miss the bell gardens pioneer chicken so bad…and i am a vegetarian, and give my one exception to this…i tried making this recipe but there is just something missing…almost like a sweetness. I tried this recipe in the past and in the past i added i believe it was just a dab i mean a tiny tiny bit of brown sugar to the mix and it was pioneer chicken in my sac home…so i know its possible to do. This recipe just seemed very bland to me…it looked beautiful just like pioneer did out of the box but just not the same taste i remember…my hopes were so high as i was frying but i said well lets try it maybe someone finally got it….sorry…so close though…so close….got to give props to the writer for putting it all together…it is a great recipe for fried chicken though not pioneer.

    1. Yes, it’s missing the MSG. I didn’t want to include it in the recipe but that’s the flavor you’re missing from the original.

        1. I only added it once, I believe it was 1/2 teaspoon, but I couldn’t be certain. It was a long time ago.

          I realize this comment is very old, so I am so sorry for the delay in replying.

  10. Yum this looks like it came straight out of a restaurant. I hope my attempt turns out to be as good as yours. That’s dinner for tomorrow night sorted.

  11. Pioneer Chicken was NOT just in Socal btw…Hawaii had quite a few locations as well from the 70’s on etc I know this as my folks used to own a Pioneer franchise in Hawaii (Kahala Mall location) in the 80’s and I know the owner of one last 2 Pioneer Chickens in CA.. Great chicken tho a bit too oily for my taste. I was born and raised in Hawaii and now live in Japan (25+yrs) with my wife and kids so classic foods from my childhood can only be found online these days thanks for sharing!

  12. When you say DC, do you mean Daly City, CA by any chance? If so….. MAN! That was the best fried chicken EVER. I love fried chicken and love to cook, but I don’t deep fry at home ~ not just for my health, but because I don’t like the idea of having a lot of excess oil after frying, saving the used oil or re-using oil that’s already been used to deep fry other stuff. Also because it gets the surfaces in my kitchen very sticky with oily residue. But with that aside, yeah… Daly City/SF’s Pioneer chicken… I always nagged my parents to get fried chicken from there instead of KFC (back before KFC was ever abbreviated that way). Indeed, it has since become an El Salvadorian restaurant that focuses on their own style of BBQ chicken. It’s not bad, but not quite what I usually desire when I crave anything “chicken”. Sure, there’s also a Popeye’s, the next block over. But it’s not the same thing! There’s quite a few vacant buildings further south along El Camino Real, near Jefferson High School. And the old Toyota dealership at the Top of the Hill… it’s gone now. I don’t know what they plan on doing with that lot, but it’d be really nice to have a Pioneer Chicken/Take Out in any of these areas! BRING BACK THE 80’S! There’s a Jollibee nearby too… a Filipino restaurant that also focuses on fried chicken. They do a pretty mean spicy fried chicken, whose color somewhat approaches that of Pioneer’s lava red-orange hue…. but the texture is very different, so all in all, not the same thing either. I enjoyed your post and reading through your recipe… maybe if I ever get some sort of outdoor deep-frying setup, I’ll most likely give your recipe a try; no telling if the owner of the last remaining 2 Pioneers chicken restaurants on the entire planet will ever decide to make it 3 restaurants. lol.

    1. No, we were in Washington DC, the one I used to go to was in Hollywood and when it closed I was pretty upset. There are two left now, but the one near Hollywood that is left gave me semi raw chicken last time I was there so I don’t want to go back. I do miss 80’s everything though!

  13. OMG , let me just start by saying
     THANK YOU! I just made this as chicken tenders. My better half and I are big fans of Pioneer Chicken and it’s always a special treat when he makes the journey to surprise me with it (yes, pioneer still exists in Los Angeles) however because it’s quite the journey I decided to check the internet and I stumbled upon your recipe. I can’t thank you enough. It came out so yummy. I definitely will be making this again and again. 

    5 ??’S allllllll the way. 

  14. You held the antenna for your brother to play Mario? You do realize that Nintendo doesn’t depend on over the air signals. Your brother was playing now than Mario ??

    1. Haha, I totally get what you’re saying but our tv was pretty bad so I had to hold the antenna otherwise you weren’t able to get any picture at all…just static. Thankfully, I no longer have to do that now that I play on my computer but I’m sure my brother enjoyed it.

  15. We had Pioneer chicken in Arizona through the end of the 80’s. I was so sad when the one across the street from my high school closed. Once a friend and I drove to California just to get some! I can’t remember what they called their boneless ‘sticks’ of chicken, but those were my favorite. The closest thing I”ve found to them is the chicken tenders from Long John Silver’s because they are made with a wet batter. I’m going to try this recipe with chicken tenders and see how it comes out. Thanks for sharing!

    1. That certainly is dedication to cross state lines, haha! I remember those sticks too but can’t think of the name either. They’re so good!!

      1. Weren’t they chicken sticks or stix? That’s what prompted my recipe search. I need to know if they used ground chicken breast or chicken tenders for those. My God I want them now!!!

    1. I can’t say I ever had the strips. A quick google image search for them definitely looks like it is the same coating. When you take a bite you’ll definitely feel nostalgic.

  16. There are still a few Pioneer Chicken locations, (SE Corner of Whittier Blvd. and Soto St. in Los Angeles, for example). I must try this recipe and then compare!!

  17. Well I sure do miss pioneer chicken, man I have not had it since the late 80’s early 90’s, they used to have one in san francisco, used to go there all the time, one thing I did find searching the net is a cook from pioneer chicken said they would soak there chicken in buttermilk, so I going to do this recipe trying both regular and one with buttermilk, was supposed to go to LA this year and drive to disney land, I was gonna hit up pioneer chicken on way, now im bummed out cause I cant go, but hopefully this will do it. Now if only I can find the gravy recipe that comes with their mashed potatoes I would be set. After I make this I will report back, but since I have not had this in 25 to 30 years, dont know how much help I could be.

  18. Thank you for pulling this together. I’m inspired to learn how to fry my own chicken.

    Of course, anyone who grew up in the 70s can tell you that Pioneer was already in decline by the 80s. Did you ever get a bag of magic tricks with your box of chicken? A Happy Meal could only dream of being so great.

    Pioneer made such crazy good chicken that I remember being disappointed ordering it at Bob’s Big Boy or Kentucky Fried (*not* KFC). The only thing that came close were the corn dogs at Der Wienerschnitzel. You really have to be from Los Angeles to critically appreciate fast food, I think. Cheers!

    1. I don’t think Los Angeles is the *exclusive* realm of delicious fast food, but we certainly had/have a lot of great chains! I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane with this recipe!

  19. I’m making this tonight! I grew up on the central coast of California and a favorite place to eat was Pioneer Chicken. The crunch is just so different than ANY other fried chicken. The other thing I loved about going there as a kid was ordering an Orange Whip. Those drinks were so delicious! I live in Austin, TX now where my wife and I home cook every night. I do lots of fried chicken a frankly some have been outstandingly good (especially buttermilk overnight soaked) but nothing comes close to that Pioneer crunch. I plan on making this tonight. Thanks for porting the recipe for us nostalgic Pioneer Chicken fans. Now off to find an Orange Whip recipe….hmmmm….haha

    1. I hope this recipe successfully brings back those childhood memories – I know it did for me!

      1. Well I guess my post got deleted, so I will just ask this question, are you frying the chicken in a pan or deep fryer, I ask cause I have a delong deep fryer that goes up to 385 degrees,

  20. I just had Pioneer Chicken in LA on Soto Street. I grew up having Pioneer Chicken all the time as there was one on Olive Avenue in my hometown of Porterville in Central California. Theres never been a place thats made fried chicken thats even been close, and thus is the closest to the original. Amazing!

  21. I am a culinary arts teacher at a high school in Southern California. We are making chicken strips this week, and I have been trying to crack the Pioneer code for years. I had to explain to my students the obsession with Pioneer. You really had to grow up on it to truly understand how amazing it was and still is. I even went to the one that still exists in Bell Gardens and dumpster dove to figure out what ingredients they use. So I decided to check the Internet tonight to see if anyone had discovered a potential recipe. I am not going to be able to sleep tonight knowing that tomorrow the search for the elusive Pioneer recipe may come to an end!

    1. I can’t wait to hear what you think! And yes there is no way to explain it to people who didn’t enjoy it all those years!

  22. Sabrina, i was born and raised in lincoln hieghts and every monday my mom took me to pioneer chicken on daly st. I ate pioneer at least once until 6 months ago when I move to Phoenix Arizona and of course there is none here. My daughter is going to so. Cal for christmas and promised to bring me 20pc of Pioneer. Anyways how close did you get to the awesome taste of pioneer. Most people commenting here say your chicken is awesome, but i dont think many of them have actually tasted Pioneer. Thanks Joe

    1. Joe,
      SUPER close. Almost perfect. Enough that even though I hadn’t had the original in years just smelling it fry I knew it was SPOT ON. When I tasted it, I called my mom and said “I JUST MADE PIONEER CHICKEN!” I say that having a huge emotional attachment to Pioneer Chicken from being a kid.

    1. Low oven! I tried heating them up in a 350-375 oven and the crust browned too much. So I would say maybe try at 300 degrees. Also don’t use the toasted oven, the space is too small and the tops will burn.

  23. Fried Chicken is my weakness. I’ve never heard of Pioneer chicken. Id definitely try it because this looks yummy!

        1. YAY! Reading this made my day!! I am so glad it gave you that awesome nostalgic experience! Thank you so much for letting me know!

  24. You always have such delicious food options here. YUMMY on the chicken … I must make this. As usual with all the food you share …

  25. YUM, I love fried chicken. I had never heard of the pioneer version before now. I am definitely going to put on on my to make list.

      1. I grew up in the 60s and 70s eating Pioneer ckn after Sunday church on Vermont & Vernon Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. The best before they closed. After that, I started eating Golden Bird. The Ekco Park location had the best tasting original recipe ckn before it closed. At the Bell Gardens location, they use the original recipe on their fish, not on the ckn. Hispanics use their own recipe, and I dare anyone to challenge me. I go only for the fish, thick pieces. Yes, fond memories of pioneer ckn and video games (Star Wars, Galaga, Mouse Trap, Centipede, Millipede, Dungeons and Dragons). I’ll try this recipe and tell you how it comes out.

        1. I love that you totally get me!! Can’t wait to hear back from you on what you think after trying it!

  26. I officially need a fryer now. My kids are crazy about fried chicken, and it just feels like their childhood should have memories of making it with me.

    1. Oh I so agree! Ours are too young to know or care about it, but I hope we have fun memories of things like that too!

  27. The right fried chicken is an art. This looks so incredible, and I know would make me feel nostalgic for my own childhood.

  28. It looks like you were able to copy the recipe pretty well because that chicken is so delicious looking! I haven’t heard of that Mario game but it really does sound fun.

    1. Just the fact that it was old school Mario made me feel like a little kid again! I swear I am so nostalgic recently!

  29. I am not the biggest fried chicken person, but when a craving strikes, I want nothing but the best. Yours looks amazing and the color can not be beat! PS – I love Saved By The Bell and still enjoy watching my kids play Mario and other Nintendo themed games.

    1. Thanks Marcie! Oh if they love Mario they will probably love that game. My husband and I were watching the youtube promotional videos about it and just grinning.

  30. I saw the title and I was like is it? Does she mean, Pioneer as in the place? I was too curious, I had to know and it is. I grew up eating Pioneer chicken. They all disappeared and I was left with KFC and ElPollo Loco (which I love both of those too.) This puts a smile on my face and makes me miss the 80’s…I’m headed back to SoCal and totally going to Naugles, which has one location in Fountain Valley. Remember them?

    1. Heck yes!! BEST TACOS EVER! I did such a happy dance when the chicken came out of the fryer. When I saw the color I actually giggled. I’m such a nerd. 🙂

  31. I’ve never even heard of Pioneer Chicken but this looks amazing! I usually end up pretty disappointed when I eat or cook something based on a nostalgic craving. Things never seem to taste as good as I remember them from when I was little. I’m glad this one turned out so well for you 🙂

    1. Thanks Jen! Usually with recreations I find them to be super hit or miss too. Luckily this one was spot on and even though I know most people won’t have heard of this, I know somewhere out there is another person like me dying to find this recipe. So I had to include it, haha.

  32. I remember Pioneer Chicken! And yes, I was a child of the 80’s and grew up in Southern California. I haven’t thought about it in forever…until reading your post! Great job, this looks delicious!

    1. AWESOME! YAY! Now if you ever have a moment where you want to feel like a kid again you can make this and watch some old school 80s tv!

  33. I’m not familiar with pioneer fried chicken but this looks really good. It’s awesome that you were able to work this out from video alone!

  34. I have never made fried chicken before, but this recipe makes me want to give it a try! Nothing like fried chicken at summer bbqs!

  35. Oh my lanta! This looks amazing. I haven’t had fried chicken, or anything friend in YEARS (thanks to my gallbladder) but this? I think I need to make asap! It would so be worth an attack, lol!

  36. That crispy, golden crust is BANANAS!! I just want to dig in right now. The cornstarch really helps. I use cornstach when making batter for fish tacos.

      1. Hi and thank you for such a delicious bite of nostalgia, I can’t wait to cook some up.
        I worked at Pioneer Chicken Temple City Ca. It was 1975 I was just 16 my friend Russ asked his father to buy one and I was asked to work as asst mgr. Great memories.

  37. This chicken seriously looks incredible! You did an amazing job! I bet it tasted as amazing as it looks!

    Paige

  38. Now THAT looks like fried chicken! I live in the south, and fried chicken is in our blood. I can’t wait to try this.

      1. I miss Pioneer Chicken!! I have a question about the instructions – Do you dredge in the corn starch first and then dip in batter, or do you dip in batter and then dredge in the corn starch?

        1. Dredge in corn starch first and then dip in batter. I’m so sorry the recipe was unclear – I’m updating it now. I hope you love the dish!

          1. I have a question. Am I patting the chicken dry or putting it in the corn starch wet? Thanks!

      2. Sabrina there is still a pioneer chicken in Bell Gardens and it taste just the same as it did growing up! If you live in CA still go give it a try. I’ll be making this recipe soon!