Pickle Brined Fried Chicken With Hot Honey Sauce Recipes

PICKLE BRINED FRIED CHICKEN WITH HOT HONEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, vinegar, pickling spices, bay leaf, 1/4 cup salt and 2 cups cold water in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring, until the salt and sugar dissolve. Fill a large bowl halfway with ice. Remove the brine from the heat and pour it over the ice to cool to room temperature. Add the chicken skin-side down, being sure to keep the chicken submerged. If the chicken is not completely covered in brine, add more cold water. Cover the pot and let sit for at least 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate up to overnight.
• When you're ready to fry the chicken, pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven to reach about a third of the way up the side and deep enough to submerge the chicken. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with wire racks.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and place in a large bowl with the buttermilk. Put the flour in a large paper bag. Season the flour with the dill, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and remaining tablespoon salt. A few pieces at a time, transfer the chicken to the bag with the flour and shake well to coat. Place the coated chicken on the wire rack-lined cookie sheet.
• Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and the internal temperature measures 165 degrees F, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove to another wire rack-lined baking sheet and transfer to the oven while you cook the rest of the chicken. Let cool slightly before serving with the Hot Honey Sauce.
• Stir together the honey, butter, hot sauce, paprika and cayenne in a small saucepot over medium heat. Heat and stir until smooth and all ingredients are combined.

HONEY FRIED CHICKEN BITES

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup pickle juice, 2 tablespoons hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag and shake to evenly disperse. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• Whisk together the honey, chopped pickles and the remaining 2 tablespoons each pickle juice and hot sauce in a large bowl until well combined.
• Whisk together the flour, paprika, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk and use your fingers to work it in, making the flour shaggy.
• Fill a large, wide Dutch oven or pot with about 2 1/2 inches of oil, then add the shortening. Attach a deep-fat fry thermometer to the side of the pot and bring to 350 degrees F over medium heat. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels and a wire rack if desired and set aside.
• Drain the chicken in a colander but do not pat dry. Transfer the chicken to the flour mixture, making sure to press the pieces into the flour to fully coat. Set on a plate. (If you notice the chicken getting soggy in any spots as it sits, dredge it in the flour mixture again.)
• When the oil is at 350 degrees F, very carefully slide the breaded chicken into the oil and fry until deep golden brown with an internal temperature of about 170 degrees F, about 4 minutes. Remove to the lined baking sheet and sprinkle with a little salt.
• Put the chicken in the bowl with the honey mixture and toss to coat. Serve in paper cones with toothpicks for skewering the chicken bites.

PICKLE-BRINED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Drain the juice from the jars of pickles into a baking dish or bowl. Add the chicken and flip to coat. Let brine, refrigerated, for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a cooling rack. Fill a Dutch oven halfway with oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 320 degrees F.
• In 3 bowls or baking dishes, set up a breading station. In the first dish, mix the flour with the salt, paprika and pepper. In the second dish, mix the hot sauce, mustard and eggs. Put the cracker crumbs in the third dish.
• Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, then in the crackers. Place the breaded chicken pieces in the oil a few at a time. Don't overcrowd the pan; the pieces should not be touching in the oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until the chicken is a deep golden brown and fully cooked to 165 degrees F when checked with a thermometer, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and place in the oven until ready to serve.