Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken Recipes

BANQUET CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• RINSE chicken; MARINATE chicken at least 2 hours in refrigerator, in the thoroughly blended and dissolved BRINE solution.
• GRIND soya granules (texturized soy protein) in a clean spice mill or coffee grinder (preferably, grind in two batches), until 4 tablespoons are yielded; GRIND any other seasonings that need to be ground, separately (grind as finely as possible -- especially fennel seeds).
• MEASURE the BREADING ingredients into a large bowl except the flour and cornstarch; BLEND mixture well using a whisk; BREAK up any clumps if present using the back of a spoon; MIX in 3 1/2 cups pre-sifted all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup packed cornstarch, using the whisk to blend well.
• POUR 2 quarts warm water into a large container for the WATER WASH.
• REMOVE chicken from the BRINE using tongs.
• DIP each breaded portion chicken at a time into the BREADING until evenly coated.
• DIP chicken into the WATER WASH, followed with the BREADING again; REMOVE double-breaded chicken with tongs and place on a rack; ALLOW chicken to rest and absorb breading for a few minutes.
• PREHEAT manufacturer's recommended amount of frying fat in deep-fryer to 315°F (OR) preheat enough fat to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot to 315°F (maintain, using a deep-fryer thermometer to gauge).
• ADD breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding (if a standard size home fryer is used, add no more than 2-3 pieces at a time); LOWER the basket slowly into the hot fat (or gently lower breaded chicken pieces using tongs into stovetop pot, turning once halfway through frying duration); FRY chicken between 15-18 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done).
• DRAIN chicken on wire rack over baking sheet; TRANSFER into a preheated 170°F oven until all chicken has been fried; SERVE and enjoy!

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

MISS GILLIAN'S CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Place chicken thighs and drumsticks in a large bowl or plastic container, along with buttermilk, hot sauce, and garlic cloves. Stir and coat the chicken, cover, and soak for 8 hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Combine flour, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning on a dinner plate. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture.
• Heat 2 inches oil in a large frying pan to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C). Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place 4 or 5 pieces chicken at a time into the hot oil; about half of each piece should be submerged in oil. Cook, being careful not to poke or touch the pieces more than is necessary, as this cracks the coating and leads to greasy chicken, until golden and no longer pink in the centers, about 4 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer chicken pieces to a large roasting pan.
• Roast chicken in the preheated oven until crispy, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).