Ashley Christensens Fried Chicken Recipe 425 Recipes

ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN'S FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• To brine the chicken, bring the water to a boil, add in the sugar and 1½ cup salt, stir until dissolved, and remove from the heat. Combine the brine and ice in a large food-safe container. Place the chicken in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 10 hours and no longer than 12 hours. When ready to fry the chicken, fill a large cast-iron skillet with enough canola oil to come halfway up the sides, and heat to 325°F. Meanwhile, fill a paper grocery bag with the flour and remaining 1 tsp. salt, fold closed, and shake to combine. Fill a large bowl with the buttermilk. Remove the chicken pieces from the brine, and pat them dry. One by one, dip the chicken pieces in the buttermilk, lift to briefly drain the excess, then place in the grocery bag with the flour mixture. Fold the bag closed, and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken with the flour mixture, about 30 seconds. Shake the excess flour from the chicken pieces, and fry in the skillet, turning once, until done (155°F on the interior for white meat, 165°F on the interior for dark meat), adjusting the heat of the oil as necessary to maintain 325°F.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

MACARONI AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 2 quarts water and kosher salt to a boil. Add macaroni and return water to a boil; cook until barely al dente, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir the grated Grana Padano, Jarlsberg, and Cheddar cheeses to combine. Set aside. Taste a macaroni for doneness: it should be chewy yet firm. Strain macaroni in a colander and set aside.
• Add heavy cream and a pinch of sea salt to an oven-safe skillet; turn heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. When cream is simmering, fold in the macaroni. Continue to simmer to reduce and thicken, about 1½-2 minutes. Stir in ¼ of the cheese mixture to combine with noodles. Turn off the heat and stir in another ¼ of the cheese. Place remaining cheese over the top in an even layer (do not stir).
• Set rack in the oven about 4 inches from the broiler. Place skillet under the broiler until cheese melts and caramelizes into a golden brown crust, 3-5 minutes (keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn). Remove gratin from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.