EEE Cooks: Fried Chicken (Recipe)

We rinse the chicken and take off the skin from the breasts and thighs. We reserve the contents of the “bag” of innards in the freezer for a future chicken stock (minus the liver which we do not eat). We put the 2 thighs, 2 breasts, 2 drumsticks, and 2 wings into a gallon size resealable plastic bag. In a large measuring cup, we mix the buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. We pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken, seal it, and refrigerate the plastic bag inside a large mixing bowl. We then thoroughly wash our hands, though we have been washing them every step of the way to this point. We disinfect the counter (have we mentioned that we are fanatical about keeping our hands and work areas clean when working with chicken or meat?) and let the chicken marinate for 6 hours.

The most important thing to do when making fried chicken is to try and keep the oil at a consistent temperature. In our dutch oven, we start to bring the Crisco to 350 degrees. While the shortening is heating, we combine the flour with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in another gallon size resealable plastic bag. Retrieving the chicken from the fridge, we use tongs to drop a piece of chicken into the flour mixture, seal, and shake to combine.

After removing the coated chicken from the flour mixture, we park it on a plate and continue with half of the pieces of chicken. The remainder of the buttermilk chicken goes back in the fridge, and the 4 flour-coated pieces are put into the dutch oven when the temperature is right.

After carefully placing the pieces into the hot shortening with tongs, we cover it partially (the candy thermometer is in the way) and cook for 5 minutes (adjusting the heat as necessary although the temperature will surely go down at first with the cold chicken). We then rearrange the chicken if necessary to ensure even browning, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes. At this point, the chicken is nicely browned. We flip each pieces over and cook uncovered for an additional 12 minutes.

We remove the pieces to a wire rack set over a cookie sheet and test with a meat thermometer for doneness. White meat should be at least 170 degrees and dark meat at least 180 degrees before resting for about 5 minutes. While we dine on the first batch, we repeat the procedure with the rest of the chicken.

Of course, we don’t forget to make the gravy!

Fried Chicken

Servings and Times

Tools and Appliances

Ingredients