My first attempt to make fried chicken.

This is the first time ever I have made fried chicken. I think I did pretty well! It's really easy to burn the outside of the chicken so you have to stay close by.  I'm going to show you step by step (with photos) how to complete a filling, easy and delicious meal.

On the menu:  Fried Chicken

Ingredients:


2 bags of thawed fryer chicken (remember, I'm cooking for 13!)

enough buttermilk to cover chicken + 1/4 cup

5 cups of flour

3 tablespoons seasoned salt (such as Lawry's)

1 tablespoon black pepper

3 teaspoons dried thyme

3 tablespoon paprika

1/4 cup milk

Canola or vegetable oil for frying.

First things first.  Place the thawed chicken in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. (If you do not have buttermilk then you can place about 1 tablespoon per one cup milk of vinegar or lemon juice into regular milk, let sit for about 15 minutes).  Seal the bowl and place it in the fridge for 24 hours.

[caption id="attachment_7" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Place chicken in buttermilk for 24 hours"][/caption]

Heat oven to 350 F.

In a medium size bowl mix the flour and seasonings together.  Pour both milks- 1/4 cup of the buttermilk, 1/4 cup milk- into the flour mixture, and mix with a fork until lumpy, this will help the crust be crispier.  Next, fill a heavy skillet half way with oil, and heat to 365 F.  While that is heating up, its time to coat the chicken.  Take the chicken and evenly coat it with the flour mixture.  (You might have to press the mixture onto the chicken to stick).

[caption id="attachment_8" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Coat chicken evenly with the flour mixture"][/caption]

Add the coated chicken to the heated oil, you only need 4 to 5 pieces at a time or else the outside will not be as crispy.  Cover the pot and fry for 7 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure they don't over brown (I made that mistake!). Turn the pieces over and cook them for another 4 or 5 minutes. Keep in mind that when they are in the oven they will continue to brown.

[caption id="attachment_9" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Place chicken in the oil."][/caption]

After all the chicken is fried, place them on a foil lined pan and pop in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until clear juices are running out.

[caption id="attachment_10" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Place chicken on a foiled pan."][/caption]

And that my friends, is how to make fried chicken.