I Believe I Can Fry (Fried Chicken)

New York Times ^ | May 14, 2013 | Julia Moskin

[nickcarraway]

When did frying chicken become so intimidating? There are cooks out there who have spherified martini olives and piped buttercreams without ever biting into a piece of homemade fried chicken.

There are even more cooks who have attempted fried chicken once, only to renounce it immediately.

“It was too far outside my comfort zone,” said one friend, an accomplished cook who has stuffed many a zucchini.

Another friend brought picture-perfect chicken to a picnic (wrapped in a tea towel, yet) that was raw at the bone.

I have sympathy for these people. They have been traumatized by grease fires, flour-crusted kitchen counters and crushed hopes.

These are the people who believe a golden-brown crust and juicy meat can never be achieved at the same time. Who think frying chicken requires special equipment and hazmat suits. Who think fried chicken is in a special circle of dietary hell.

Who are wrong.

Fried chicken with corn and tomatoes is a perfect summer dinner. Fried chicken with potato salad is a perfect summer picnic. Fried chicken on a biscuit with hot sauce and honey butter — as served at Pies N Thighs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is the perfect meal, especially for someone embarking on a juice cleanse the next day.

There is no magic to fried chicken. Most people don’t cook it for the same reason they don’t make their own burritos. They have grown up in a world with free-flowing fried chicken at every turn. KFC has overtaken Burger King to become the world’s second-biggest fast-food chain. KFC has also promulgated the absurd notion that secret herbs and spices are necessary for good fried chicken.

No.

[nickcarraway]

The cast-iron skillet is a crucial tool in making fried chicken at home.

[Resolute Conservative]

For sure.

Make sure the grease is not too hot, that will leave middle under cooked unless you burn the outside.

[Yosemitest]

The best fried chicken is Southern Fried, at a low heat, to keep the moisture in the chicken.
It's a learned art, and takes a long time to learn how to do it right.

[Irenic]

Completely agree!

[KC_Lion]

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Bump for later

[Polynikes]

Another helpful tip. Try not to make fried chicken while only wearing swimming trunks or in the nude.

[Ditter]

Fried chicken was one of my mothers specialties, along with meatloaf and egg custard. I have eaten my weight in those 3 things. Mom's gone now but Mr Ditter fries my chicken for me and I make him meatloaf. We have given up on the egg custard.

[Mountain Mary]

YUM!

[RobertClark]

Another helpful tip. Try not to make fried chicken while only wearing swimming trunks or in the nude.

What is making fried chicken or cooking bacon?

I'll have things not to do while naked for $1000, Alex.

[nesnah]

Good fried chicken is a learned form of art. It’s very difficult to get it perfect without a lot of practice and patience.

Cast iron skillet; let the raw chicken get to room temp right before frying (so it cooks more evenly); marinate it in brine for at least half a day, season the chicken itself and not the breading (before breading; there’s so much more.....

[Clintons Are White Trash]

It’s not difficult, but it can be messy. Years ago I read a prize winning recipe that included a few drops of yellow food coloring in the oil to give it more of a golden color :) I’ve been known to do just that!

[GraceG]

I wonder what you spice Pegasus wings with...

[MagnoliaB]

And fry it in lard.

[JRandomFreeper]

It's not often that a FR thread changes my dinner menu. But fried chicken it is for tonight. Mmmmmm.

/johnny

[EEGator]

I like the title’s play on an R. Kelly song.

[KC_Lion]

What Pegasus?

That is a Chicken My FRiend!

[BooBoo1000]

My wife ( an old Southern Georgia Girl) fries the best chicken you can filnd.It is not a major undertaking for her she basically follows the ideas in the above article. Southern Fried Chicken is a tradition in the South on Sunday after Church, along with mashed potatoes, milk gravy, sliced tomatoes, and of course home made biscuits. Of course it is necessary to have a Old Southern Cook to prepare this feast while you have been in Church. Ummmmmm Good. Then what you do after this feast is take a nap

[RckyRaCoCo]

BFL

[DJ MacWoW]

At Least You Can Count On FR
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