Homemade Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

March 29th, 2020 03:12:40 AMRecipesAdmin

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• Kosher salt
• One whole chicken about 4 pounds cut into 10 pieces or 3 1/2 pounds bone-in skin-on breasts legs drumsticks and/or wings
• 1 1?2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1?2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 cups vegetable shortening or peanut oil

Directions

1. Combine the paprika black pepper garlic powder oregano and cayenne in a small bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork.
2. Whisk the buttermilk egg 1 tablespoon salt and 2 tablespoons of the spice mixture in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss and turn to coat. Transfer the contents of the bowl to a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight flipping the bag occasionally to redistribute the contents and coat the chicken evenly.
3. Whisk together the flour cornstarch baking powder 2 teaspoons salt and the remaining spice mixture in a large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of the marinade from the zipper-lock bag and work it into the flour with your fingertips. Remove one piece of chicken from the bag allowing excess buttermilk to drip off drop the chicken into the flour mixture and toss to coat. Continue adding chicken pieces to the flour mixture one at a time until they are all in the bowl. Toss the chicken until every piece is thoroughly coated pressing with your hands to get the flour to adhere in a thick layer.
4. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the shortening or oil to 425°F in a 12-inch straight-sided cast-iron chicken fryer or a large wok over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat as necessary to maintain the temperature being careful not to let the fat get any hotter.
5. One piece at a time transfer the coated chicken to a fine-mesh strainer and shake to remove excess flour. Transfer to a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Once all the chicken pieces are coated place skin side down in the pan. The temperature should drop to 300°F; adjust the heat to maintain the temperature at 300°F for the duration of the cooking. Fry the chicken until it’s a deep golden brown on the first side about 6 minutes; do not move the chicken or start checking for doneness until it has fried for at least 3 minutes or you may knock off the coating. Care- fully flip the chicken pieces with tongs and cook until the second side is golden brown about 4 minutes longer.
6. Transfer the chicken to a clean wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 150°F and the legs register 165°F 5 to 10 minutes; remove the chicken pieces to a second rack or a paper-towel-lined plate as they reach their final temperature. Season with salt and serve—or for extra-crunchy fried chicken go to step 7.
7. Place the plate of cooked chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. When ready to serve reheat the oil to 400°F. Add the chicken pieces and cook flipping them once halfway through cooking until completely crisp about 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet to drain then serve immediately.

This article and recipe adapted from this site