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    Crispy Buttermilk-Soaked Fried Chicken

    clock-icon80 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    A deliciously crispy fried chicken recipe soaked in buttermilk for extra tenderness and flavor.

    Ingredients for Crispy Buttermilk-Soaked Fried Chicken

    units in
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    units in
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    serves
    8 peoplechevron
    serves
    8 peoplechevron

    Whole Chicken, cut into 8 pieces

    0 lb

    Substitute chevron-down

    Buttermilk

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    All Purpose Flour

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Baking Powder

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dried Thyme

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Black Pepper

    teaspoons

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    Garlic Powder

    teaspoons

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    Peanut Oil

    cups

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    How to Make Crispy Buttermilk-Soaked Fried Chicken

    1. Cut the Chicken

    Begin by cutting the whole chicken into 8 pieces: 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, and 4 breast pieces.

    2. Prepare Buttermilk Mixture

    In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of salt until the salt has dissolved.

    3. Marinate the Chicken

    Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 1 hour.

    4. Prepare the Coating

    Whisk together 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, ¾ teaspoon of dried thyme, ½ teaspoon of pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder in a separate bowl. Add 6 tablespoons of buttermilk to the dry mixture and rub it with your fingers until the texture resembles coarse, wet sand.

    5. Coat the Chicken

    Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture and coat each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture. Press the flour mixture onto the chicken to ensure it sticks, then shake off any excess. Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to rest.

    6. Heat the Oil

    Pour peanut oil into a Dutch oven to a depth of about ¾ inch and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F.

    7. Fry the Chicken - Part 1

    Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, skin side down, and cover the Dutch oven. Fry the chicken for 4 minutes.

    8. Fry the Chicken - Part 2

    After 4 minutes, check the chicken and rearrange the pieces if necessary to ensure even browning. Cover the Dutch oven again and continue frying for an additional 4-6 minutes, maintaining an oil temperature of around 300°F.

    9. Fry the Chicken - Part 3

    Uncover the Dutch oven, turn the chicken pieces over using tongs, and fry them uncovered for another 6-8 minutes until the second side is deep golden brown and crispy.

    10. Drain the Chicken

    Transfer the chicken to a plate lined with a triple layer of paper towels. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow any excess oil to drain off.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Brining in Buttermilk

    The buttermilk soak is key to tenderizing the chicken. For an even more flavorful brine, add spices like paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper to the buttermilk. Let the chicken soak for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight, to ensure it's moist and tender.

    Seasoning

    Season every layer. Your buttermilk brine, flour dredge, and even the final product need a good amount of salt and your chosen spices to ensure a flavorful crust.

    Temperature Control

    Maintain a consistent oil temperature between 350°F to 375°F. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil. If the temperature drops too low, the coating will absorb the oil and become greasy; too high, and it will burn.

    Dredging with Purpose

    Press the flour mixture onto the surface to help create more crags and crispy bits. These irregularities in the coating will add to the crunch factor. Shake off excess flour to avoid a doughy texture.

    Drainage

    Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows excess oil to drain away without making the crust soggy, which can happen if you drain on paper towels.


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