Ashley Christensen’s Fried Chicken

By ltrodrigu

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 8 cups cold water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cup kosher salt, plus 1 tsp.
• 1 gallon ice cubes
• Canola oil (for frying)
• 4 cups whole buttermilk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation

Step 1

To brine the chicken, bring the water to a boil, add in the sugar and 1½ cup salt, stir until dissolved, and remove from the heat. Combine the brine and ice in a large food-safe container. Place the chicken in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 10 hours and no longer than 12 hours.

When ready to fry the chicken, fill a large cast-iron skillet with enough canola oil to come halfway up the sides, and heat to 325°F. Meanwhile, fill a paper grocery bag with the flour and remaining 1 tsp. salt, fold closed, and shake to combine. Fill a large bowl with the buttermilk.

Remove the chicken pieces from the brine, and pat them dry. One by one, dip the chicken pieces in the buttermilk, lift to briefly drain the excess, then place in the grocery bag with the flour mixture. Fold the bag closed, and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken with the flour mixture, about 30 seconds.

Shake the excess flour from the chicken pieces, and fry in the skillet, turning once, until done (155°F on the interior for white meat, 165°F on the interior for dark meat), adjusting the heat of the oil as necessary to maintain 325°F.