Perfect Fried Chicken

Total Time: 24 hrs 40 mins Preparation Time: 24 hrs Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 6 cups fat-free buttermilk
• 1/4 cup kosher salt (only kosher salt regular salt is to salty)
• 5 teaspoons kosher salt (only kosher salt regular salt is to salty)
• 1/3 cup tabasco sauce
• 2 (3 lb) chicken, cut into 8 pieces each
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 lbs vegetable shortening
• 6 tablespoons bacon drippings (optional)

Recipe

• 1 combine the butter milk 1/4 cup of salt, and the tabasco sauce in a air tight container. add the chicken turning to coat the chicken. cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• 2 preheat the oven to 200°f.
• 3 combine flour, 5 teaspoons of salt, and the peppers in a paper bag. shake to mix. one at a time, add the chicken pieces to the bag and coat with flour. set coated pieces on a tray.
• 4 preheat shortening in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°f.
• 5 place the thighs and drumsticks in the grease. fry until coating is dark golden on the bottom (10-14 minutes). then using tongs turn the chicken over and cook until dark golden brown again (another 10 to 14 minutes). drain on paper bag or several layers of paper towels.
• 6 transfer the cooked pieces to cookie sheet. put in oven to keep warm while frying remaining chicken.
• 7 remove any bits and pieces left in the oil before frying rest of chicken in the same way.