Ozark Fried Chicken Recipes

OZARKS FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cover chicken with water in large bowl. Stir 2 tablespoons salt into water. Refrigerate 12 hours or over night.
• Blend flour, cracker crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika in large, heavy duty, plastic freezer zip-type bag. Pour buttermilk into medium bowl.
• Remove chicken from water. Do not rinse. Pat chicken dry. Dredge each piece of chicken in flour mixture and place on large baking sheet to dry. Dip floured chicken pieces into buttermilk and re-dredge them in flour mixture a second time, placing back on baking sheet to dry.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat in large cast iron or electric skillet until hot but not smoking. Oil should be half way up sides of skillet. Carefully add chicken pieces and fry without crowding until golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes per side. If chicken browns too quickly, turn heat down to medium and watch carefully. Do not cover skillet or chicken will be steamed and not crispy.
• Drain and cool cooked chicken pieces on paper towels or brown grocery bag. Serve immediately or cool completely and store in refrigerator. Use skillet drippings to make cream gravy!

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.