The Best Fried Chicken

Step 1

Add all the brining ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined. Then, add the chicken and cover with a lid and set in the fridge for 8-24 hours (NOTE: Do NOT skip this step. Trust me. It’s how the chicken becomes loaded with incredible, juicy flavor).

Step 2

When the chicken is brined and ready to fry, either fill a deep fryer with the oil to the max line (about 3 quarts of oil in a 12-cup capacity fryer) or fill a deep Dutch oven (7 quart size) or large stock/soup pot halfway. Turn the deep fryer temperature to 375° and wait until ready (usually a light will indicate when it is) -OR- set your stove for the Dutch oven/pot at high heat until it hits 365°-375°. (NOTE: I’ve found it easiest and quickest to use a deep fryer for this if you have one – and, if not, you can get one for relatively cheap. But you can also totally use a Dutch oven or stock/soup pot to deep fry in as well. Just get a meat or candy thermometer and make sure the temperature is between 365°-375° before adding the chicken and frying. Whichever you choose, this chicken must be fully submerged in canola oil (or any frying oil of your choice) for it to achieve the spectacular results (no pan frying and flipping!)

Step 3

Once the oil’s heated, mix together all of the crisping potion ingredients in another large bowl. Take the chicken directly from the brining bowl, place it directly in the crisping potion bowl and roll each piece of chicken in the potion until tightly packed and fully-coated. Get every nook and cranny of the chicken coated with the mixture. However, ONLY coat the amount of chicken you are about to fry at this time. It should be coated ONLY before it is immediately fried.

Step 4

If using a deep fryer, in batches, add the chicken to the basket in one layer (nothing on top of each other) and carefully submerge into the oil, uncovered, for 12-14 minutes until a deep golden brown coating is achieved. Remove the basket when done and use the thermometer to poke the chicken and make sure the meat’s at least 165°, which means it’s safe to eat. If not, continue to fry until it is (NEVER eat raw/underdone chicken). Then, use tongs to transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined serving dish (NOTE: see yellow “Jeffrey Sez” section). If using a Dutch oven, use tongs to carefully place the chicken in the oil, piece-by-piece, until the pot is filled with one layer of chicken (you’ll do this in batches). Allow to fry for 12-14 minutes, uncovered, until a deep golden brown coating is achieved. Use the thermometer to poke the chicken and make sure it is at least 165° in temperature, which means it’s safe to eat. If not, continue to fry until it is (NEVER eat raw/underdone chicken). When done, use tongs to transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined serving dish (NOTE: see yellow “Jeffrey Sez” section).

Step 5

Let the chicken cool for 5-10 minutes before eating.

Step 6

Enjoy with hot sauce, honey butter, ranch or any of your favorite fixins’!