Savory Southern Fried Chicken Recipes

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE TRIED AND TRUE

Steps:

• Combine the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine two cups of buttermilk with 2 teaspoons of hot sauce; add the chicken pieces and make sure they're all coated well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours to overnight.
• Add peanut oil to a cast iron skillet and heat over medium low.
• Prepare the dry dredge mixture by combining the flour and seasonings together in a large bowl; set aside.
• Prepare the wet dredge mixture by whisking together the egg with a cup of buttermilk in a large bowl; set aside.
• Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and place on a paper towel lined sheet pan. Use a paper towel to gently dry the chicken pieces slightly.
• Dredge each chicken pieces in the dry dredge mixture, then wet, then dry; shake off excess. Place dredged chicken pieces on a foil lined sheet pan. Repeat until all pieces are done.
• Cooking in batches; begin by adding the chicken legs, thighs and wings to the hot oil making sure not to over crowd the skillet.
• Use tongs to turn every 5 minutes, fry the chicken until crispy and golden brown (12-15 minutes).
• Transfer the cooked chicken pieces to a paper towel lined sheet pan with a cooling rack placed on top to drain excess cooking oil.
• Continue with frying the remaining breast pieces, turning as needed (15-18 minutes) until crispy and golden brown.
• Transfer the breasts to the lined sheet pan when done.
• Serve after chicken has cooled 10 minutes.

SAVORY SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• NOTE: YOU CAN SINGLE-BREAD OR DOUBLE-BREAD CHICKEN WITH THIS RECIPE (SEE STEP 6).
• WHISK 2 quarts cold water (8 cups) with 2 tablespoons fine sea salt and 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning in a large wide saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved, for the BRINE.
• RINSE and blot chicken pieces; ADD chicken pieces to marinade; COVER and transfer to refrigerator; MARINATE chicken at least 4 hours in refrigerator (preferably overnight), turning chicken as needed.
• INTO a large Ziploc bag, add the BREADING ingredients; BREAK up any clumps if present, by hand or using the back of a spoon; SEAL bag containing mixture; SHAKE well until combined.
• BEAT 4 eggs in a large bowl, for the EGGWASH; REMOVE chicken from brine with tongs; BLOT pieces with paper towels.
• TO SINGLE-BREAD CHICKEN: Dip one piece breaded chicken using tongs, into the eggwash to wet completely. Drop chicken into the breading. Roll chicken well in the breading to coat. Place breaded chicken onto platter to rest for 15-20 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces. TO DOUBLE-BREAD CHICKEN: Add 5 teaspoons flour plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch to breading and mix well. Drop chicken into the breading and roll it well in the breading to coat. Drop chicken into the eggwash to wet completely. Quickly return chicken to the breading and roll again to coat well. Place double-breaded chicken onto platter to rest for 15-20 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces.
• PREHEAT manufacturer's recommended amount of peanut oil in deep-fryer between to 315°F (OR) preheat enough oil to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot between to 315°F (use a heat-safe thermometer to gauge).
• PLACE breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding; LOWER the basket slowly into the hot oil (or gently lower breaded chicken pieces using tongs into stovetop pot, turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken between 16-20 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done).
• DRAIN on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; REPEAT the same cooking procedures until all chicken is fried. DRAIN chicken on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; TRANSFER rack over a baking sheet and keep chicken warmed in a preheated 170°F oven until serving; SERVE and enjoy!