Memphis Fried Chicken Food

BIG MOE'S MEMPHIS-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Trim the chicken thighs to make them more uniform, then use a needle tenderizer to perforate the skin to aid in achieving bite through the skin.
• In a large pot, combine the brown sugar, salt and 64 ounces (2 quarts) water. Heat until the salt and sugar totally dissolve in the water. Remove from the heat, let cool at room temperature and place in the refrigerator to chill the brine. Place the chicken in the chilled brine for 2 to 3 hours.
• Set up a smoker or a gas grill on indirect heat at a pit temperature of 300 degrees F. Use hickory chips or chunks for the smoker. If using a gas grill, put the chips in a smoke box or foil pan under the grates on the burners.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Coat the chicken with the canola oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the BBQ Chicken Rub on both sides. Place the chicken in a mesh grill basket or on a wire rack.
• Cook until the chicken reaches 185 degrees F, 35 to 45 minutes. It's technically done at 165 degrees F, but take it to a higher internal temperature to achieve a better mouth feel. Remove the chicken, coat with 1 cup of the BBQ Sauce and put back on the grill for a few minutes to set the sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
• In a bowl, add the sugar, paprika, pink sea salt, celery salt, granulated onion, chili powder, mustard and cayenne and whisk until combined.
• Mix the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, black pepper, mustard, liquid smoke, chili powder, white pepper, coriander, cayenne and 1/2 cup water in a saucepot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring continuously. Turn off the heat, add the cognac and stir to combine. Set the sauce to the side for later use.

CHEF JOHN'S NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Transfer chicken to a bowl; cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Whisk buttermilk, pickle brine, hot sauce, and egg together in a mixing bowl. Pour marinade over chicken and stir to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and let chicken marinate in refrigerator 2 to 4 hours.
• Mix flour and salt together in a shallow flat dish. Remove chicken from marinade and blot with paper towels. Reserve marinade. Toss chicken in flour until thoroughly coated. Return chicken to marinade, coating all sides; remove chicken from marinade allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Coat the chicken once again in flour mixture. Place on a rack. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Allow to sit out about 15 minutes to allow coating to dry out a bit.
• Place butter and lard in a large pot. Add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Place over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until fats melt. Remove from heat; keep sauce warm.
• Fill cast iron skillet about 1/3 of the way with vegetable oil. Heat oil to 350 degrees F over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken into hot oil, skin side down. Maintain an oil temperature of 325 degrees F, adjusting heat as need. Fry until instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
• Transfer chicken to a rack to drain. Brush with the sauce on both sides.