Finger Lickin Good Fried Chicken

I’ve been trying different recipes and techniques for a bit, and finally found something I am happy with.  It’s not a perfect KFC clone, but it’s the best I’ve made!

Number of Servings: 16 Pieces
Prep Time:  45 Minutes
Cook Time:  60 Minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Chickens, already cut in parts (4 of each: legs, thighs, wings, breasts)
• 4 Cups Flour
• 4 Cups Buttermilk
• 2 TBS Sriracha 
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Tbs Salt
• 1 Tbs Pepper
• 2 Tbs Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garilc Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Dry Mustard
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Basil
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• Clear, high-smoke-point oil like Canola, Sunflour oil or real lard

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix buttermilk and sriracha in a large mixing bowl or little Brine Bucket
2. (Optional Step) Cut breasts into “fingers” for quicker cooking.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture and put in the fridge for at least 4 hours.  Overnight is best.
4. In a bowl, mix all the spices together
5. Add the flour and mix well
6. Put 2/3 of the flour into a large Ziplock bag
7. Remove chicken from the buttermilk, and reserve the buttermilk.
8. Add eggs to the buttermilk and mix well.
9. Pat chiken dry.
10. Take a piece of chicken, dredge in the flour mixture
11. Dunk it in the butter milk and shake off excess liquid.
12. Put it in the Ziplock baggie  (do this for 3 of 4 pieces.)
13. Shake the bag, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.
14. Remove from bag and place on wire rack.  They MUST stay there until the wet and dry merge to create a paste on the chicken.  This is crucial.
15. Heat up enough oil to go up at least half-way on each piece of chicken in a cast iron pan or dutch oven, to 350 degrees.
16. Once the chicken pieces look all pasty, start frying them, turning the pieces every few minutes.
17. When cooked (thighs to 165 degrees, full breasts to 185 degrees), place on a wire rack NOT paper towels.  
18. Enjoy!

NOTES:

You dont want to rest the chicken on papr towel or it will steam and sog the pieces that are touching the paper towel.

TAGS:  Chicken, KFC, Thomson, fried