Crispy Fried Chicken Americas Test Kitchen Food

ATK'S SUPER CRISPY, HONEY-DIPPED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make brine and batter at the same time so that they can be refrigerated for an adequate amount of time. The batter will be thin, but is quite adequate. It will thicken when chilled. Brine chicken in 2 quarts of water with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of salt whisked inches Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. Heat oil (about 4 cups) to 350 degrees Farenheit in a 4 quart pot. Dry chicken and dredge in 1/2 Celsius cornstarch, shaking off any excess. Coat with batter and carefully drop into the oil, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes. Chicken will be light in color, but remove to a cooling rack or paper bags/towels. When all chicken is par-fried, reheat oil to 350 degrees. Dip fried chicken pieces into batter again and fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, then drain again. In a medium bowl, microwave honey and hot sauce for one minute. Place chicken pieces, one at a time, into warm mix and roll around until completely coated. Remove to a cooling rack. Enjoy hot or cold. Even when chilled, the chicken will remain super crispy.

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.