Crispy Fried Chicken

If you like really crunchy flavorful fried chicken, make this recipe. It is really quite simple.

First make a brine. I forgot to take pics...sorry! Mix 1 1/2 gallons water with 10 bay leaves, 3 lemons cut in half, 2 heads of garlic cut in half, 1 bunch of fresh thyme, 1 bunch fresh parsley, 1/3 cup honey, 3 T. peppercorns and 1/4 cup kosher salt . Bring this to a boil and let boil 5 minutes. Set it aside to cool completely. When it is completely cool, strain the brine from the solids. Discard solids. Place 8 legs and 4 thighs in a zip lock bag and add the brine. Squeeze the air out of the bag and place it in a bowl. Place this in the fridge and turn the bag a couple times during a 24 hour period.


Remove chicken from the liquid and discard the brine. Dry the chicken on paper towels. In a small bowl mix together, 1 T. granulated garlic, 2 T. granulated onion, 1 T. paprika, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper and 2 T. ground black pepper Sprinkle all of this over the chicken pieces and let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour.




Melt enough Crisco and bacon fat in a heavy large pot to reach 3/4 inch.

Put a rack over a cookie sheet.


Add a fry/candy thermometer and bring it to 350 degrees.


While the grease is heating, place 3 cups of flour in a bowl and 2 cups of buttermilk in a second bowl. Dip each piece of chicken in the buttermilk. Coat it all over and shake to knock off extra drips. Place it directly into the flour and turn to coat. Tap off excess flour.




Fry the chicken 4 pieces at a time.

Maintain the heat at about 340 degrees.


Fry until golden brown all over. It will take about 5-6 minutes on each side.


I like to fry the legs together. And then the thighs together. This way they cook uniformly. Place the chicken on the rack and put the cookie sheet in a 325 degree oven. Bake for 1 hour.




Crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. Perfect fried chicken!

Comments

LindaG said…
Awesome!
Thanks for the recipe. :-)
Anonymous said…
oh my gosh this sounds so good.I hate to ask another question but,, I was wondering if you were a chef at one time or have you just always had such a keen interest in cooking.The recipes are all so very unique, is this of your doing?All the little extra touches you do, have you ever written a cook book because ifyou do I owuld stand in line to buy it!
And thats the truth!
tj said…
...Thank you so much!

...Great tutorial and photos - now pinning. :o)

...Blessings
brokenteepee said…
Mmmm, fried chicken. Finger lickin' good.
Nellie said…
My very favorite meal!! However, it has been many years since I allowed myself to indulge. I have an excellent memory, though.:-) xoxo
Your fried chicken sounds wonderful, and you are talking to someone who had fried chicken every Sunday when I was growing up.
Anonymous said…
Sure does look delicious!
Colonel Saunders just took out a contract on you. Beware.
Ina in Alaska said…
Fried chicken is a recipe that I have never managed to do well, so I think I will come over to your house for a plate!

Hoping Teddy is feeling more comfortable.
Barb said…
That looks so good!Hope Teddy is better today.
Anonymous said…
Oh my gosh it's looks soooo delish! I'd love some right now. Your recipes are so incredible.
SharleneT said…
Oh yes. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Definitely gonna do this. Love fried chicken with crispy outsides. Thanks for sharing. Give Teddy a big hug for me. Hope she's doing better.
Mystica said…
Just looking at it looks amazing. Never will be able to duplicate that but that is another story.