Lemon Brined Fried Chicken

By tpriddy_1

The best fried chicken in the world!

Ingredients

• flour mixture:
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 1 small bunch thyme
• 1 cup plus 2tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 12 bay leaves
• 1 head of garlic diced
• 2 Tbsp black peppercorn
• 3 rosemary sprigs
• Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
• 3 lbs chicken pieces
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups buttermilk
• Peanut oil for frying

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a very large pot, combine the water with 1 cup salt,honey, bay leaf,garlic, peppercorn, rosemary,thyme,and parsley. add the lemon zest and juice and the lemon halves and bring to a simmer over medium heat,stirring until the salt is dissolved. Let cool. Add chicken completely submerging and refrigerate overnight.
Drain chicken picking off any herbs or peppercorns stuck to the skin. Pat dry

In a large bowl combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and salt and pepper.
Put buttermilk in large shallow bowl,
dredge chicken piece lightly in flour mixture.
Dip chicken in buttermilk.Then dredge in flour mixture again.Set battered chicken on wax paper.

Heat oil to 320 . fry breasts,and wings for 8 minutes.Legs and thighs for 15 minutes.
Drain well on paper towels. Keep warm in oven.
Serve warm or at room temperature