Michelles Recipe For Almost Fail Proof Fried Chicken

PERFECT SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Soak chicken in water and salt at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Mix buttermilk, eggs and Season All and dip chicken pieces in this mixture.
• Combine 1 cup flour, 2 tbsp corn meal, 2 tsp dried oregano, and 2 tsp Season All in a bag.
• Drop two pieces of dipped chicken in the bag at one time.
• Shake to coat.
• Place on wire rack to rest.
• (I place wax paper under the rack to catch any flour that falls off.) Heat a shallow layer of oil or shortening to 360 F in a jumbo chicken skillet (cast iron is great for this job) or an electric skillet.
• Place the chicken in the pan, trying not to crowd the pieces.
• Cover for the first five minutes.
• Check the chicken.
• When golden brown, turn.
• Cover for the next five minutes.
• Remove cover and cook uncovered, turning occasionally, as needed for a total of an additional 20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Watch carefully, and don't allow it to get too dark.
• If it's frying too fast, reduce heat slightly.
• NOTE- the key is to cover in the beginning to start the cooking process inside the chicken, but to uncover during the last part of the cooking time to get the outside nice and crispy and golden brown.

KFC EXTRA CRISPY CHICKEN (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• NOTES: USE ONLY SELF-RISING FLOUR (MAKE YOUR OWN, IF NECESSARY, FOLLOWING A TRUSTED RECIPE). YOU MAY USE MASA HARINA FLOUR (TAMALE FLOUR) IN PLACE OF CORN FLOUR. YOU MAY USE 1/4 TEASPOON LEMON PEPPER IN PLACE OF 1/8 TEASPOON CITRIC ACID. (STEP ONE): RINSE and blot chicken pieces; MIX 2 quarts (8 cups) cups cold water with 2 tablespoons morton lite salt and 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning in a large wide saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved; ADD chicken pieces; COVER and transfer to refrigerator; MARINATE chicken at least 4 hours in refrigerator, turning chicken as needed. NOTE: FOR A QUICKER STOVETOP MARINATION METHOD, PIERCE CHICKEN PIECES WELL WITH A FORK, THEN HEAT THE MARINADE WITH CHICKEN, COVERED, OVER LOW HEAT FOR 20-30 MINUTES (TURN CHICKEN ONCE MIDWAY THROUGH).
• INTO a large mixing bowl, add the SEASONED FLOUR ingredients except the self-rising flour and cornstarch; BREAK up any clumps if present, by hand or using the back of a spoon; WHISK well with a wire whisk until well blended; ADD 3 3/4 cups self-rising flour and 1/4 cup packed cornstarch; WHISK mixture well until thoroughly combined.
• ADD 4 quarts water to a large bowl or saucepan for the WATER WASH.
• REMOVE chicken from marinade with tongs; PLACE chicken into large bowl containing the SEASONED FLOUR and coat well; REMOVE chicken from seasoned flour bowl using tongs; PLACE chicken portions onto a platter; REPEAT procedures with remaining chicken pieces.
• DIP one piece breaded chicken using tongs, into the WATER WASH to wet completely; DROP wet chicken into the SEASONED FLOUR again and toss until slightly clumpy (you may flick water into breading to get more small clumps, which is what you want); PLACE double-breaded breaded chicken onto a platter to rest for 15-20 minutes.
• PREHEAT manufacturer's recommended amount of pure shortening or vegetable oil (or a blend of both) in deep-fryer to 315°F (OR) preheat enough fat to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot to 315°F - 325°F (use a heat-safe thermometer to gauge).
• PLACE breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding; LOWER the basket slowly into the hot fat (or gently lower breaded chicken pieces using tongs into stovetop pot, turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken between 16-20 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done).
• DRAIN on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; REPEAT the same cooking procedures until all chicken is fried. DRAIN chicken on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; TRANSFER rack over a baking sheet and keep chicken warmed in a preheated 170°F oven until serving.
• SERVE and enjoy!