Fried Chicken

Recipe courtesy Alex Guarnaschelli

Show: The Cooking LoftEpisode: This Bird's Got Range

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (20)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(20)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 2 hr 0 min
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 2 hr 50 min

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Ingredients

1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus additional to taste)
1 whole chicken, about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds, cut into 8 to 10 pieces

Breading:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups solid vegetable shortening

Directions

In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade. Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the bowl with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 12 hours.

In a large paper bag, combine the ingredients for the breading mixture. (My mother insists this gives extra flavor and I agree.) Put the chicken parts, a few at a time, in the bag and shake until they are well coated with the mixture. Place the breaded chicken on a rack with a baking sheet. When all of the pieces are breaded, refrigerate them for 15 minutes.

In a large cast iron (or regular skillet), melt the shortening over low heat. Heat until shortening reaches 350 degrees F. Test 1 piece first. The oil should bubble and react as you add the first piece. Use a pair of heat-resistant tongs to gently place the chicken pieces, skin side down, in a single layer in the skillet over medium heat. Cook, undisturbed, 5 to 8 minutes, or until you can see the underside of the chicken browning. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently turn the pieces on their second side. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.

When the chicken is cooked through, remove it and transfer it to a rack. Immediately season it (while it is still hot) with salt. Serve immediately or keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Fried Chicken
Tracy Fort Valley, GA 02-02-2010
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Tried it, then Tweeked it
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I made this first according to Alex's reciepe Although it was good, it lacked something,( I am used to southern fried... chicken) I was craving, Seasoning! Sorry Alex! I added Garlic and Onion powder and changed the paprika to smoked paprika and added a little powdered red pepper(to taste) It was So Good! The Best I've EVER made. Everyone Loved it and asked for the reciepe.Thanks Alex. Read more
recipe Fried Chicken
DEBB Hillsborough, NJ 12-08-2009
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great marinade
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

great marinade.....unique, tasty, and perfect since I didn't have buttermilk on hand.
recipe Fried Chicken
Anna Springfield, IL 07-19-2009
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Not good
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

Made this exactly as recipe stated. Crust had no taste and was hard. Will not use again.
recipe Fried Chicken
Renee East Point, GA 07-19-2009
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Fabuloso! And so moist, here are my changes
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It may have been the stove, I did use a cast iron skillet, but I cooked longer than 8 minutes a side. Also, I marinated it... overnight. This is moist and juicy, including the white meat. As Rachel would say, Yummo! Read more
recipe Fried Chicken
Rebecca Dublin, OH 06-07-2009
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This is it
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I can finally stop obsessing over finding/improvising the best fried chicken. Please believe me when I say I have tried... dozens of recipes, literally, but we all said this was the only one to keep. Lots of oohing and aahing at the dinner table! I use my own seasoned flour mix - a by-product of all those years of testing - so can't speak to Alex's mix, but the marinade and method of cooking produce a crunchy, flavorful, moist, gorgeous bird. And I had never bought off on the brown paper bag thing before, but there must be something to it...this all works. I did let the chicken drain a bit in a sieve before breading and the flour adhered perfectly. We're already talking about when we get to make this again.Read more
recipe Fried Chicken
Jackie Henderson, NV 05-11-2009
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Wow
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I must say this would be the best fried chicken recipe ever.