Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of chicken (legs, thighs, or breasts, bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• Vegetable oil (for frying, enough to submerge chicken)

Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
2. Marinate in buttermilk: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the buttermilk. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour (or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator) to tenderize the meat and infuse flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Flour Coating

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme (if using).
2. Dredge the chicken: After marinating, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Then, dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coat on all sides. You can press down slightly on the chicken to help the coating stick.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

1. Heat the oil: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. The oil should reach 350°F (175°C) when hot enough. You can test the temperature by dropping in a small piece of bread—if it browns in about 60 seconds, the oil is ready.
2. Fry the chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil, skin-side down. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you may need to fry in batches depending on the size of your pan.
3. Cook until golden brown: Fry the chicken for about 8-10 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Turn the chicken occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
4. Drain excess oil: Once the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked, remove it from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 4: Serve

Serve your crispy, juicy fried chicken with your favorite sides—like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread!