Superior Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup kosher salt
• 1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for frying

How to make Superior Crispy Fried Chicken

1. In a large bowl or pot, dissolve ½ cup sugar and ¾ cup kosher salt in 8 cups cold of water.
2. Rinse chicken pieces, and add to bowl.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Remove chicken pieces, and rinse under cool water, lay out on paper towels.
5. Mix together the flour and seasonings, and place in a large zip lock-style plastic bag.
6. Shake to mix.
7. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in the buttermilk.
8. Dip half the chicken pieces in the buttermilk, then place in the plastic bag.
9. Shake, and lay out on a wire rack.
10. Repeat for remaining pieces.
11. Put the rack on a large baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours to set.
12. Pour peanut oil to a depth of ¾ inch in a large iron Dutch oven.
13. Place over medium-high heat.
14. When oil is heated, arrange chicken pieces in the pan, skin side down, and cover pan.
15. After 5 minutes, remove the cover.
16. Rearrange pieces if some are browning more quickly than others.
17. After 5 more minutes, turn the pieces over.
18. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 more minutes or until done.
19. Remove the fried chicken to a clean wire rack set over a large paper bag or paper towels and allow to drain.

Notes