This recipe makes the best chicken ever -- moist and tender with that crispy flavorful skin. It takes a bit to make but will become one of your favorites!
Equipment
cast iron enameled dutch oven
cooling rack
sheet tray
High temperature thermometer suitable for testing oil temperature
Ingredients
Marinade
2cupsButtermilk
1/4 cupDill Pickle juice
2.5teaspoonsKosher salt
1teaspoonMSG
2teaspoonsPaprika
1TablespoonGarlic powder
1/2teaspoonOnion powder
1teaspoonCreole seasoning of choice
2teaspoonsHot sauce
Chicken
4Chicken thighs
4Drumsticks
Breading-dredge:
3cupsAll-purpose flour
1.5teaspoonsMSG
1/2teaspoonOnion powder
2.5teaspoonsGarlic powder
1/2teaspoonGround white pepper
1teaspoonCreole seasoning
Vegetable oil for deep frying
1TablespoonKosher salt
Instructions
To marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, add buttermilk, pickle juice, salt, MSG, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, creole seasoning, and hot sauce; whisk together until combined. Next, add all your chicken to the marinade, and mix until well-coated. You don't need to wait for the chicken to marinate, you can start to cook right away.
For the Breading: In a medium bowl, add all the ingredients and whisk together until well combined.
Remove one of the pieces of chicken from the marinade and dredge; aggressively press it, making sure it’s all coated. Remove, shake the excess flour, and place on a wire rack. Repeat with all of the chicken pieces.
Fill the heavy bottom pot halfway, (at least 2” inches) of vegetable oil, and heat to 350F. In batches, fry your chicken and cook for 3 – 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and temp to make sure the internal temperature is at least 165F. Try to hold the temperature of the oil to at least 325F while frying your chicken; don't add too many pieces to the pot at one time they will cool down the oil too much.
Remove, and drain on a wire rack. When all pieces are done, serve.
Notes
For this recipe, we used chicken thighs and drumsticks, but you can use cut up chicken pieces. Depending on the piece of chicken you are frying, it could take more or less time.
This recipe is very similar to Popeye's Fried Chicken, but you can adjust the spice level according to your taste by changing the amount of hot sauce or Creole Seasoning.