Ellens Crispy Fried Chicken Recipes

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

ELLEN'S CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Rinse chicken and pat dry; set aside. In a shallow bowl or flat dish, mix together the flour and the seasonings. Heat oil in a large skillet.
• 2. While the oil is heating, dredge chicken pieces well in the seasoned flour. Be sure to cover all sides. Place coated pieces in the hot oil and set heat on medium high.
• 3. Brown chicken on all sides, being careful not to burn it. When it has browned to your liking, reduce heat to low, add 1/4 cup of water, and cover.
• 4. Cook chicken, covered, for about 40 minutes or until fork-tender. Remove lid, turn heat up to medium-high, and add a little more oil if needed. Re-brown the chicken until it has a crispy crust.
• 5. Remove chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Place in a warm oven while preparing the gravy.
• 6. TO MAKE GRAVY: Pour all but 1/4 cup oil from skillet. Scrape pan to loosen browned pieces of batter. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/4 cup seasoned flour. Place skillet over low heat; cook and stir flour until lightly browned. Slowly add 2 cups milk, stirring to reduce lumping. Add more seasoning if desired. Serve with mashed potatoes or biscuits, or bread, and over chicken.

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place flour in a shallow plate or bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Put the bread crumbs in another shallow plate or bowl and beat the eggs in another bowl.
• Dredge the chicken piece by piece in the flour, then the egg, then the bread crumbs, until all pieces are coated. Pour the oil into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add the chicken to the dish and sprinkle with paprika to taste. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then turn pieces over and bake for another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

CRISPIEST BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix cold water and kosher salt together in a large bowl until salt dissolves. Add chicken legs. Cover entire bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Remove bowl from the refrigerator; drain and pat chicken dry with paper towels.
• Place chicken legs in a plastic bag with 1 cup all-purpose flour and shake to coat.
• Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Mix remaining flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in another bowl. Dip each chicken leg in buttermilk; move to flour mixture and coat well.
• Heat canola oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry chicken legs in hot oil in batches until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).