Heaven in a Frying Pan

A few weeks ago, when the latest Bon Appétit magazine arrived, Andy and I stared lustfully at each other the cover photo of a perfectly fried drumstick and knew what we had to do. We picked a night when Steph was not home—since she was somehow not born with the family gene that reveres nothing so much as perfect fried chicken (well, except perhaps bacon, and she most certainly got that gene). And off to the frying pan we went. True to its word, "This is the only fried chicken recipe you’ll ever need." And, no surprise, cold leftovers the next day were stupendous.

Skillet-Fried Chicken

2 tablespoons kosher salt, divided use
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, divided use
1½ teaspoons paprika
¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 3- to 4-lb. chicken (not kosher), cut into 10 pieces, backbone and wing tips removed
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Peanut oil (for frying)

Whisk 1 Tbsp. salt, 2 tsp. black pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Season chicken with spices. Place chicken in a medium bowl, cover, and chill overnight.

Let chicken stand covered at room temperature for 1 hour. Whisk buttermilk, egg, and ½ cup water in a medium bowl. Whisk flour, cornstarch, remaining 1 Tbsp. salt, and remaining 1 Tbsp. pepper in a 9x13x2" baking dish.

Pour oil into a 10"–12" cast-iron skillet to a depth of ¾". Prop deep-fry thermometer in oil so bulb is submerged. Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 350°. Meanwhile, set a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet.

Working with 1 piece at a time (use one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients), dip chicken in buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Dredge in flour mixture; tap against bowl to shake off excess. Place 5 pieces of chicken in skillet. Fry chicken, turning with tongs every 1–2 minutes and adjusting heat to maintain a steady temperature of 300°–325°, until skin is deep golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 165°, about 10 minutes for wings and 12 minutes for thighs, legs, and breasts.

Using tongs, remove chicken from skillet, allowing excess oil to drip back into skillet; transfer chicken to prepared rack.

Repeat with remaining chicken pieces; let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

[Update 8/7/13: Here is a photo of said chicken, which a Facebook pal said looked like something out of a high-end food magazine!]

Comments

[Stephanie]

SO, why can't we use Kosher Chicken for this recipe????

[Karen]

I'm pretty sure it's just too salty, that's all!

[Elena]

Do you think this would turn out just as well if I used a deep fryer?

[jude]

steve and i are on the same food wavelength once again! i actually have a class i go to and dont really like anymore, but cant quit cuz it is next to this great southern fried chicken 'done right' place! glad to have this recipe and hoping to enjoy it this week! thanks! miss you and sending love to the fam!