Southern Style Fried Chicken

I have been wanting to make Southern Style Fried Chicken for the longest time now. I hate to fry food at home cos of the amount of fat one has to use. Plus, all the fried food cannot be good for your heart anyways. However, my one downfall is fried chicken. I love fried chicken. I love it so much that I only allowed myself Popeye's Fried Chicken twice a year, once on Valentine's Day and another on my birthday. Then, there is the once a year homemade fried chicken which I will do, okay maybe twice.

After making the batch of doughnuts the other day, I have all the leftover shortening. As the fat is still clean, I was reluctant to discard it. So, frying chicken in shortening it is. This will be my first time making southern fried chicken the authentic way, using shortening, buttermilk and the whole nine yard. The result: Crispy, light, amazingly crunchy and delicious fried chicken. Will I make it again? Definitely! Now I understand why the southerner loves frying in shortening.

Southern Fried Chicken

Ingredients
5lb chicken, soaked in brine for 2 hours

For Buttermilk Marinade
1 quart buttermilk
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp Hungarian Hot Paprika
1 tsp Bell's Seasoning
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp black pepper

For Dredging
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper

5 cups shortening for frying

Directions

Step 1: Soak chicken in brine for 2 hours. I used half a whole chicken and 6 additional wings as I family just loves fried chicken wings.

Step 2: Pour buttermilk in a large bowl. Combine with all the seasonings. Mix till well combined.

Step 3: Immerse the chicken in the buttermilk marinade. Cover and leave in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Step 4: In a large cast iron skillet or dutch oven, heat shortening to 350F or 176C. At the same time, preheat oven to 325F.

Step 5: Mix flour, salt and black pepper in a bowl. Dredge chicken onto flour mix to coat.

Step 6: Pan fry chicken pieces in shortening, 10 minutes per side till cooked and golden brown.

Remove chicken from skillet when done onto a baking sheet lined with wire rack. Place baking sheet in the preheated oven while you cook the rest of the chicken.

Step 7: Serve fried chicken with fried vegetable fritters, baked beans, mac n cheese or your favorite sides.

Trust me, they are really good. The crust comes out light and super crunchy and the chicken is oh-so tender and moist.