Southern Fried Chicken

Step 1

Heat peanut oil in a large deep pot to 350°F (do not fill more than half full--you don't want a hot-oil spill-over accident!).

Step 2

For sauce mixture: in a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs with the water.

Step 3

Add hot sauce and whisk together well.

Step 4

Pour this mixture into a large plastic zip-top bag.

Step 5

For seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

Step 6

For dredging mixture: In a another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Step 7

Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces with a paper towel.

Step 8

Cut breast pieces in half across ribs.

Step 9

Sprinkle chicken generously on both sides with seasoning blend.

Step 10

Drop a few chicken pieces of chicken into bag of sauce mixture and squish around to coat thoroughly.

Step 11

One piece at a time, roll chicken in flour mixture and drop into hot oil.

Step 12

Don't crowd chicken pieces--I cook about half the chicken at a time.

Step 13

Fry chicken until brown and crisp.

Step 14

Drain on paper toweling.

Step 15

Dark meat will take about 14 minutes, white meat about 10 minutes.

Step 16

Remember smaller pieces cook faster than the larger ones.

Step 17

You can check for doneness by piercing to the bone in the thickest part with a fork.

Step 18

If the juices run clear, it is done.