Awesome Fried Chicken

Awesome Fried Chicken

Recipe Type: main course
Author: Victoria
Fried Chicken I have tried many versions of fried chicken, all very tasty, but after making this by Alton Brown with added pepper, he has got it together! Tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
  • • 1 broiler/fryer chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • • 2 cups low fat buttermilk
  • • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • • 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
  • • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
  • • Flour, for dredging
  • • Vegetable shortening, for frying
Instructions
  1. Directions
  2. Place chicken pieces into a plastic container and cover with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  3. Melt enough shortening (over low heat) to come just 1/3-inch up the side of a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy fry pan. Once shortening liquefies raise heat to 325 degrees F. Do not allow oil to go over 325 degrees F.
  4. Drain chicken in a colander. Do not rinse! Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Generously season chicken with this mixture. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
  5. Place chicken skin side down into the pan. Put thighs in the center, and breast and legs around the edge of the pan. The oil should come half way up the pan. Cook chicken until golden brown on each side, approximately 10 to 12 minutes per side. More importantly, the internal temperature should be right around 180 degrees. (Be careful to monitor shortening temperature every few minutes.)
  6. Drain chicken on a rack over a sheet pan. Don’t drain by setting chicken directly on paper towels or brown paper bags. If you need to hold the chicken before serving, cover loosely with foil but avoid holding in a warm oven, especially if it’s a gas oven.