Best Dang Good Southern Fried Chicken Recipes

CRISPY SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. In large plastic container, dissolve 2 tablespoons salt in about 2 cups water. Remove skin from chicken pieces (optional) and place in container. Add more water if necessary to cover chicken. Place lid on container and place in refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• 2. Pour milk into a bowl. Add egg and beat with fork till fairly smooth and set aside. In another bowl add flour, seasonings and soup base. Mix well with fork. Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, then dip in milk and egg mixture. Roll in flour mixture.
• 3. In a large deep iron skillet add oil to about 1" deep. Heat oil to about 375 degrees and add chicken pieces. You must do this in batches of about two pieces of chicken at a time, so as not to overcrowd your pan. Cook chicken about 7 to 8 minutes per side or until juices run clear. Transfer chicken pieces to serving platter. You may also use a deep fryer set at about 350 degrees. Add only a couple of pieces at a time and cook for about 15 minutes or until juices run clear.
• 4. ALTERNATE METHOD: Heat oven to about 400 degrees. In cast iron skillet, brown chicken pieces in hot oil. Transfer chicken pieces to a broiler pan coated well with cooking spray and bake for about 20 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove from oven and transfer to serving platter.
• 5. Chicken soup base is a moist powder. It's available in the soup/bullion aisle in most grocery stores and it is relatively inexpensive.

GOOD OLE' DOWN HOME IN GEORGIA SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place cut up chicken in a large bowl. Season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat. Add buttermilk, again tossing to coat. Set aside (you can cover and refrigerate overnight).
• Place lard and bacon grease into a large deep cast-iron skillet or dutch oven (you only need about an inch of melted oil). Set on stovetop over medium-high heat and get oil temperature to 350°F.
• Place flour into a plastic grocery bag. Shake excess buttermilk from a piece of chicken and place into bag of flour. Coat chicken with flour. (A simple method is to hold sides of bag and steadily and gently roll back and forth like cleaning a bowling ball.).
• Dip an edge of the floured piece into the lard; if it sizzles, it's ready. Begin to flour remaining pieces and carefully place them into the pan/dutch oven.
• Repeat until the pan is full or all pieces are used. (A whole chicken generally requires two batches and you may need to add just a small amount more of lard for second batch). Cover pot with lid and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
• Turn chicken over, cover and simmer again for 5-7 minutes. Remove lid and continue cooking until cooked through, or internal temperature of chicken reaches 175°F.
• Transfer cooked pieces to a plate lined with paper towels or a baking rack with a towel underneath to catch the drippings. If desired, immediately give a light sprinkling of salt.