Description
Crispy Crisco fried chicken brings Southern comfort straight to your dinner table with golden-brown perfection. Juicy meat and crunchy coating promise a classic meal that connects family and flavor in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3 ½ lbs or 1.6 kg), cut into 8 pieces
Coating and Marinade:
- 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) hot sauce (optional)
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) paprika
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) onion powder
Frying:
- Crisco shortening (for frying, enough for 1 ½ inches or 3.8 cm in skillet)
Instructions
- Submerge chicken pieces in a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce bath, refrigerating for a minimum of 4 hours to infuse deep flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Craft a seasoned coating by blending flour with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a separate mixing vessel.
- Extract chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to cascade off, then meticulously coat each piece in the spiced flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.
- Melt Crisco shortening in a robust cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, heating to a precise 350F, creating the ideal frying environment.
- Gently lower chicken pieces into the molten shortening, positioning skin-side down with ample spacing to prevent overcrowding.
- Execute a careful frying process, turning once, cooking approximately 8-10 minutes per side until the exterior transforms into a golden, crispy shell and the internal temperature reaches a safe 165F.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or absorbent paper towels to drain excess fat, allowing the meat to rest and settle for 5 minutes before presenting a delectable, crunchy feast.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Overnight soaking in buttermilk and hot sauce helps tenderize chicken, creating deeper flavor and more juicy meat that melts in your mouth.
- Perfect Coating Technique: Press flour mixture firmly onto chicken to ensure a thick, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and creates an irresistible crunch.
- Temperature Control Matters: Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain consistent 350F oil temperature, preventing greasy chicken and ensuring even, golden-brown results.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delectable crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg