Big John's Crispy Southern Fried Chicken
Dive into the heart of Southern comfort food with Big John's Crispy Southern Fried Chicken! This classic recipe features tender, juicy chicken pieces, expertly marinated and seasoned to perfection, then coated in a flavorful mix of spices and flour before being fried to a crunchy golden finish. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, this dish embodies the rich flavors of the South. Serve it with sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or mashed potatoes for the ultimate Southern feast.
6
Servings
416
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole frying chicken
1 (cut up)
Water
4 cups (for marinating)
Sea salt
1 tablespoon (for marinade)
MSG
1/3 teaspoon (for marinade)
Cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (crushed, for marinade)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Milk
1 cup (for egg mixture)
All-purpose flour
2 cups (for coating)
Onion powder
2 teaspoons (for coating)
Chicken broth packets
2 (dry, for marinade)
Fines herbs
2 teaspoons (ground, for coating)
Seasoning salt
2 teaspoons (for coating)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (for coating)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (ground, for coating)
MSG
1 teaspoon (for coating)
Instructions
1
Begin by cleaning the chicken thoroughly, ensuring to remove any excess fat and skin.
2
In a large bowl, combine the water, sea salt, MSG, crushed cayenne pepper, and chicken broth packets to create a flavorful marinade.
3
Add the cleaned chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
4
When ready to fry, heat your deep fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk until well combined.
6
In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, onion powder, fines herbs, seasoning salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and additional MSG. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
7
Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and pat each piece dry using paper towels to remove excess marinade.
8
Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it into the milk and egg mixture, and finally coat it in the flour mixture once more. Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate and allow them to rest for 10 minutes.
9
Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot deep fryer, frying them in batches if necessary. Fry the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Turn the pieces occasionally to ensure even cooking.
10
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the fryer and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Let it rest for several minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
33g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Big John's Crispy Southern Fried Chicken?
It is a classic Southern comfort food recipe featuring tender chicken marinated in a flavorful brine, double-breaded in a spiced flour mixture, and fried to a golden crunch.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What are the primary ingredients for the marinade?
The marinade consists of water, sea salt, MSG, crushed cayenne pepper, and chicken broth packets.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for at least 1 hour, though for the best flavor results, overnight is recommended.
What temperature should the deep fryer be?
The deep fryer should be heated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
What spices are used in the flour coating?
The coating includes onion powder, fines herbs, seasoning salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and MSG mixed with all-purpose flour.
Is it necessary to clean the chicken?
Yes, the instructions recommend cleaning the chicken thoroughly and removing excess fat and skin before starting.
How do I prepare the liquid binding mixture?
Whisk together one beaten egg and one cup of milk in a medium-sized bowl until well combined.
Why should I pat the chicken dry after marinating?
Patting the chicken dry with paper towels removes excess liquid, which helps the flour coating adhere better to the meat.
What is the specific breading technique used here?
The technique is a double-dredge: first coat the chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg/milk mixture, and finally coat it in the flour mixture again.
How long should the chicken rest after breading?
Allow the coated chicken pieces to rest on a plate for 10 minutes before frying.
How long does it take to fry the chicken?
The chicken takes approximately 15 minutes to fry until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Should I fry all the chicken at once?
No, you should fry the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the deep fryer.
What is the purpose of the wire rack after frying?
Placing the chicken on a wire rack allows excess oil to drain away, keeping the crust crispy instead of soggy.
Does this recipe use MSG?
Yes, MSG is used in both the marinade (1/3 teaspoon) and the flour coating (1 teaspoon).
What kind of salt is used for the marinade?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of sea salt for the marinating process.
What are fines herbs and where are they used?
Fines herbs are a blend of ground herbs used in the flour coating mixture to add aromatic flavor.
What sides go well with Big John's Southern Fried Chicken?
Traditional Southern sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or mashed potatoes are highly recommended.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 416 calories per serving of this fried chicken.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 17 grams of fat.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving provides 25 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 33 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of chicken should I buy?
You should use one whole frying chicken that has been cut up into pieces.
How much flour is needed for the coating?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour for the coating mixture.
Is there any spice or heat in this recipe?
Yes, the marinade includes 1/2 teaspoon of crushed cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.
What type of milk is used in the egg mixture?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of standard milk mixed with a beaten egg.
Do I need to turn the chicken while frying?
Yes, you should turn the pieces occasionally to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
Can I use chicken broth packets in the coating?
In this recipe, the 2 dry chicken broth packets are specifically intended for the marinade, not the coating.
How long should the chicken rest after cooking?
The chicken should rest for several minutes after frying to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
What is the goal of using onion and garlic powder?
These powders provide a concentrated savory flavor that distributes evenly throughout the flour coating.