Crispy Fried Chicken
If you like your fried chicken with a crust you can get your teeth into, this is for you. And to spice it up, go for the cayenne pepper.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds frying chicken pieces
- 2 to 2-1/2 cups Crisco (or other vegetable shortening)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
Preparation:
- Combine the flour, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Combine the egg and milk in a separate dish. Set aside.
- In a heavy skillet, melt shortening to a depth of 1 inch over high heat.
- While the shortening is heating, rinse the chicken pieces and drain. Working with one or two pieces at a time, flour the chicken, shaking to remove excess, then coat with the milk/egg mixture, then dredge again in the flour mixture, coating well. Place pieces in a single layer on a piece of waxed paper until all are coated.
- When the melted shortening reaches a temperature of 360°F on a frying thermometer (or test it with a small piece of chicken -- it should sizzle madly), carefully add the chicken pieces, skin side down, starting with the dark meat in the center of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-high, and fry chicken until skin side is golden brown, then turn and brown the other side.
- Reduce heat to medium, and cover the pan. Cook for 25 minutes, and remove the cover. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Remove chicken pieces, and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with Cream Gravy, or refrigerate and take with you on a picnic.
Note: For more, see our complete article on fried chicken.
Prep time: 30 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes; Total time: 1 hour