Spicy Fried Chicken

Ingredients

For the chicken:

2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup hot sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

3 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken parts

For the batter:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

For frying:

Canola, vegetable, or peanut oil for frying

Method

Marinate chicken in buttermilk mixture:

Mix the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Put the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture and coat completely.

Marinate at least 8 hours and up to 24 in the refrigerator.

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Dredge chicken:

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. In a large paper or plastic (sturdy) bag, mix flour with black pepper, cayenne, salt, and garlic powder.

A couple pieces at a time, add the chicken to the seasoned flour and shake until thoroughly coated. Shake off any excess flour and let the dredged chicken pieces sit on a platter at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.

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Heat oil in thick-bottomed pan:

Meanwhile, heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet on medium heat (cast iron, stainless steel, or anodized aluminum—something that can take the heat). Heat until a pinch of flour gently sizzles when dropped in the hot oil (but not so hot that the pan is smoking), about 325°F. Remember when working with hot oil, always have a pan lid close by, just in case of grease fire.

Fry the chicken:

Working in batches, add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in the pan and fry until golden brown all over, about 8 to 10 minutes per side, flipping the chicken as needed with tongs. When done, the meat should register 165°F in the thickest part using a digital thermometer.

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Remove to a rack to drain excess oil:

Use tongs to remove chicken from pan. Place on a rack over a cookie sheet or a platter layered with paper towels for the excess oil to drain. Serve warm.

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