Taste_of_the_South_-_October_2019

SouthernFriedChicken

MAKES6 TO8 SERVINGS

Thissimplerecipeisallyouneed

forthecrunchiestfriedchickeneverytime.

2½cupswholebuttermilk,divided

2 tablespoonshotsauce

2½tablespoonskoshersalt,divided

3½poundsbone-inskin-onchicken

pieces

Vegetableoil,forfrying

3 cupsall-purposeflour

1 tablespoongroundblackpepper

2 teaspoonsonionpowder

Flakedseasalt

1.Ina largebowl,stirtogether1½cups

buttermilk,hotsauce,and1 tablespoon

koshersalt.Addchicken;coverandrefrigerate

foratleast4 hoursorupto 24 hours.

2.Ina largeDutchoven,pouroiltohalfway

full,andheatovermediumheatuntila

deep-frythermometerregisters350°.

3.Removechickenfrombowl,and

patdry;reserveexcessmarinade.

4.Ina shallowdish,stirtogetherreserved

marinadeandremaining1 cupbuttermilk.

Inanothershallowdish,stirtogether

flour,pepper,onionpowder,and

remaining1½tablespoonskoshersalt.

5.Workinginbatches,dredgechicken

inflourmixture,shakingoffexcess.Dip

inbuttermilkmixture,lettingexcessdrip

off.Dredgeinflourmixtureagain,pressing

gentlytoadherecoating.Placeona wire

rack;letstandfor 15 minutes.

6.Workinginbatches,frychicken,

turningoccasionally,untilaninstantread

thermometerinsertedinthickestportion

registers165°.Letdrainonpapertowels.

Immediatelysprinklewithseasalt.

beforefryinggives

timeforthecoating

toset,creatingthe

iconiccraggycrust.

Lettingitrestalso

allowsthetemperature

ofthechickentorise,

whichaidsinthe

fryingprocess.

thechicken.Bycoating

thepiecesinflour

first,thenbuttermilk,

andagaininflour,

thecoatingisbeing

layeredtohelptheflour

mixtureadheretothe

chickenandcreate

a flaky,crunchytexture.

COOKING TIME FOR PIECES:

Whole Breast 10–12 minutes

Halved Breast 8–10 minutes

Thigh 6–8minutes

Wing 6 minutes

Drumstick 6 minutes

Due to the longer cook time for
the breast, the color can tend to
get dark. If you prefer a lighter
color, fry for 10 minutes, transfer
to a baking sheet, and bake at 350°
until a food thermometer inserted
in thickest portion registers 165°,
5 to 8 minutes more. To help reduce
cooking time on larger breasts,
we suggest cutting them in half
crosswise before marinating.

HOW-TO: DOUBLE-DREDGE

OCTOBER 2019 | TASTE OF THE SOUTH 78