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soul warming southern fried chicken

Southern Fried Chicken

This isn't your ordinary fried chicken - it's a masterpiece featuring a secret blend of twelve perfectly balanced spices that creates an incredibly crispy, flavorful coating. Each bite delivers layers of seasoning that'll have your family and neighbors begging for the recipe. Simple to make but extraordinary in taste, this fried chicken rivals any restaurant version.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Southern
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 485kcal

Equipment

Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or sage
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon or chicken base
  • 3-4 lbs chicken pieces
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  • Combine all dry ingredients (flour through chicken bouillon) in an extra-large zip-lock bag.
  • Shake the bag vigorously to guarantee all spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
  • Add chicken pieces to the seasoned flour mixture in the bag.
  • Shake well to thoroughly coat each piece of chicken with the seasoning blend.
  • Let the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes to allow the coating to set and adhere properly.
  • Heat oil to 350°F in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer.
  • Carefully place chicken pieces in the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding.
  • Fry for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Remove chicken from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Oil temperature is vital - use a thermometer to maintain 350°F for ideal crispiness
Don't overcrowd the pan as this will lower oil temperature and result in soggy coating
For extra crispy chicken, double-dip by coating once, letting sit, then coating again
Chicken bouillon powder works better than liquid base for this dry mixture
Make the seasoning blend ahead of time and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months
For spice-sensitive palates, reduce cayenne pepper to 1 tablespoon
Leftover seasoned flour can be stored and reused within 24 hours if kept refrigerated

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 890mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 1g