I know people think its funny that Tony doesn’t try like much of the food I make. Whenever he reads a comment that says “I wish I worked with you Biz!” he says “but they haven’t had your quinoa meatballs, have they??!!” But I just smile because I know a lot of you WOULD like quinoa meatballs!
So I have to give in every once in a while. While Tony loves meatloaf, and sloppy joes, I would think one of his favorite foods is fried chicken. And we’ve been seeing it everywhere lately. Only problem, the only fried chicken you can get in our neck of the woods is KFC. š
As luck would have it, Tony was flipping through the channels yesterday and wouldn’t you know on America’s Test Kitchen they were showing how to make easy crispy fried chicken. We both looked at each other and thought – we need to make that! And as more luck would have it, my store had cut chicken for $1.49 a pound – so for about $7 bucks, I made a shit load of fried chicken – and other than meatloaf and pizza – this is the last leftover Tony will eat! š
Best Fried Chicken. Ever. (from America’s Test Kitchens)
- 1.25 cups buttermilk
- dash of salt
- dash of hot sauce (I used Tabasco)
- 3 teaspoons ground black pepper (I used half that – Tony doesn’t like it too spicy)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3.5 pounds chicken parts
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 3/4 cup vegetable oil
Whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespon salt, hot sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, a pinch of cayenne together in a large bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 1 hour or overnight. (mine soaked about 4 hours)
Heat oven to 400. Whisk flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining black pepper, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon paprika, and pinch of cayenne together in a large bowl. Add remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk to flour mixture and mix with fingers until combined and small clumps form. Working 1 piece of chicken at a time, dredge chicken pieces in flour and using your hands, press mixture onto the chicken to form a thick coating.
Heat cast iron skillet to 350. (they suggested 375, but that was too hot for my skillet). Carefully put chicken in oil – 4 minutes per side and remove to a wire rack that’s on a baking sheet. I was able to do all my chicken in three batches.
After all the pieces are fried, bake for 15 minutes, let sit 5 minutes. You want the breasts to read 160 degrees and dark meat at 175. Somehow all my chicken came out equally delicious.
After Tony took one bite he said “Bravo!” and I had to agree. The batter stayed on the chicken, it was super juicy on the inside and I have to say even better than KFC!
The buttermilk coating is nice and thick – here’s how the chicken looks after the first 4 minutes:
Um, did I mention that it was only me and Tony for dinner? š
I had a cup of mashed potatoes, a wing and half a chicken breast.
I know I meant to have a vegetable! š The chicken wing is my favorite piece.
This one is a keeper! Especially since I got a Bravo from Tony š
July 11, 2001 Tony and I closed on our house! It’s hard to believe we’ve lived here 10 years already. When we met I lived in Oak Park, Tony lived in Barrington, and my step-son lived in Arlington Heights. We would live at my house during the week, then pick up Joe on Friday night, spend the weekend in Barrington, and then drop Joe off on Sunday nights.
I cannot tell you what a great feeling it was to just be living together under one roof. Sadly with the housing market I think our house is worth the exact same amount we paid for it, but we have equity in it and didn’t buy during the whole housing market boom – at least we don’t owe more than what its worth. š
So instead of showing you pictures in the beginning – I bring you 2005. Joe was 16 and Hannah was 13 in this picture – I took it around Thanksgiving for our Christmas card that year – its still so wierd to me how much they do look like they could be related!
And Tony and I going to my office Christmas party – can you tell how excited he is to be dressed up! He’s so happy those days are over now that I have a new job!
Yep, that’s me with blonde highlights AND make-up = how snazzy!
I forgot to pick winners for the granola giveaway from Friday, so I’ll do that tomorrow – today begins my clean eating week – no wine, more fruits and veggies and water! I am off to the gym to swim. š
Let’s make it a great Monday!
My husband thinks about the same of my cooking when I try to lean a little toward the healthy side. So skeptical! Congrats on 10 years in your house!
Love fried chicken!
We were really lucky. We lived in the suburbs in North Aurora and sold our house in 2005 right before the market went south. So lucky.
BIZ!!! I am a faithful reader, but rarely comment. I just HAD to pass along that Aldi now carries the veggie chips that I’ve heard you rave about (I LOVE LOVE LOVE them as well). They are in a shiny type bag just like the Terra chips and taste EXACTLY the same! It was funny, because when I saw them I was like, “I have to tell Biz!” LOL…I know how some Aldis are fickle about how long they keep things in stock, so hopefully you can find them!!!!
Totally going to check that out this weekend – thank you!!
I agree with Marisa – I’ve it’s from America’s Test kitchen, they’ve tested it every which way to get it perfect.
I’ve made a battered fried chicken tenders from Cook’s Country that is my most popular recipe. http://www.slim-shoppin.com/batter-fried-chicken/
Congrats on 10 years, hard to believe it’s been that long!
Love the new blog design! It’s cute! It’s amazing how fast time flies. Hannah doesn’t look like she was 13 in that picture….I remember my teenage years looking so awkward. She looks beautiful!
Love the photos Vat! Happy Houseiversary!!! Good luck on the week ‘o clean eating! Have a great day.
Hi Biz, the blonde higlights and makeup suit you well!
I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow and I bought some Frank’s Hot for my sister to try. š
And congrats on the new theme.
Ha – let me know if your sister likes the Frank’s sauce! š
Happy house anniversary. š
Your chicken looks nummy. I tried buttermilk once but it didn’t work so great for us so I stick to regular milk now. I know you asked me to share the recipe [as did others] but my hubs is being a doof head and insists since it is my recipe [hence a “family” recipe] that it has to stay in the family. I know he is just kidding, sort of, but so far I haven’t posted it. I figure I can just leave it to you all in my will. heehee [You know I will do that.]
You are quite the cutie patootie with the blond highlights.
Being from the South, I grew up on fried chicken. My grandma used to make the best…I think she soaked hers overnight in salt water? I’m not sure. I’ve never tried it! The only thing I’ve ever fried is cornbread, and zucchini (just the other night!). Frying does make things pretty damn delicious. Your chicken looks yummy, with that crispy crust! And I love the blonde highlights!
Kim, yep – some people brine their chicken in salt water the night before – we love the tanginess of the buttermilk soak though, although if it were up to me, there would be WAY more hot sauce in the buttermilk! š
Hey, you DO look pretty snazzy!
That chicken makes me wanna lick the screen.
That fried chicken looks just like what my mother used to make! Unlike Tony, I like pretty much everything you make, have tried some and have a ton bookmarked!
We are having a terrible storm that sounds like it might be visiting you as well. Already a huge tree down across our street.
Keep safe!
Best,
Bonnie
I just discovered the joy of enitag a baked spaghetti squash with a little bit of butter and salt/pepper. I love it when something so simple tastes so good! You have a serious amount of squash to get through there, though. I’m curious about how big of a garden space you had dedicated to growing various kinds of squash?
Good luck on the week of clean eating!
I don’t really like fried chicken, but only because meat on the bone freaks me out. I am definitely not the person that would be ordering hot wings anywhere, or buying chicken on the bone because it’s on sale…ahhh! Hahah.
Good luck with the start of your clean eating week š
That’s an interesting process with the chicken – baking it after it’s fried.
I think you look gorgeous in that photo… I don’t care what men say, it’s nice to get all fancied up once in a while!
Amen sister! š
that chicken looks so delicious! wow what a fab recipe for sure. congrats on the house! love the pic of you all dressed up š
yum, so copy and pasting that recipe to my recipe file. man i havent had fried chicken in sooo long, i so could sink my teeth into that and enjoy the hell out of it…yum
we too have been in our house for 10 years, so far our house hasnt gone down to what we paid for it, we feel blessed right now to even have equity, so many people i know are letting their houses go because they owe more than what their homes are worth. We do the right thing, live below our means, even though we can afford to live higher, i guess growing up poor has helped me keep the mentality of being frugal even when i dont need to, thats what has gotten people in alot of trouble. plus we have really great health insurance right now. That has kept us debt free..by the way love the highlights,perfect for you…
Thanks Connie! š
I love the blond hair! Cute photos. I am going to join you on that week of clean eating if you don’t mind. And I do wish that I worked with you, if only just on Fridays!! Your food always looks delicious.
The chicken looks perfect! A great treat. Glad Tony gave it the thumbs up ;). 10 years in your house? That is awesome! Celebration time. Hope the week goes well. I always can’t believe the weekend is actually over
You can never go wrong with an America’s Test Kitchen recipe! They are the best! I gotta make that for my husband – he’d be in heaven!
Love the blond highlights in that pic, Biz!!!
Raising a glass of water and cheering to a week of clean eating! š
This looks like a great fried chicken recipe Biz. When I lived in the south some really good home cooks taught me about adding the hot sauce to the buttermilk until it was real pink! So nice and spicy that way. Congrats on 10 years in your home! I like the blonde highlights from the photo, are you thinking of highlighting again? I finally got some and love it! Blondes do have more fun!
Maybe that will be my incentive when I get to goal weight – its just maintaining highlights that I need to work on! š