Il Cucinologo
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American Fried Chicken

17/11/2023

American-style fried chicken, known as “Fried Chicken”, is a very popular dish in the United States. The recipe consists of marinating the chicken in a mixture of spices and milk and then coating it in a mix of flours and frying it. Here is the basic version of the recipe with an Italian touch in the breading.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks preferably)
  • 500 ml buttermilk (or milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 00 flour, as needed for breading
  • Semolina or breadcrumbs, for extra Italian-style crispiness
  • Oil for frying, as needed

Optional for an extra boost:

  • Finely chopped rosemary (for an Italian aroma)
  • Grated zest of one lemon (to add freshness)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the marinade by mixing the buttermilk with the garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. If you want to add an Italian touch, also include the chopped rosemary and grated lemon zest.

  2. Immerse the chicken pieces in the marinade and let them rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or even better overnight.

  3. Prepare the breading by mixing the flour with the semolina or breadcrumbs. You can add more spices if desired.

  4. Heat the oil in a deep pan to medium-high temperature (about 175 °C).

  5. Drain the chicken pieces from the marinade and coat them in the breading, pressing well to make it adhere.

  6. Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden and crispy, for about 15-20 minutes depending on size. Make sure the chicken is cooked inside using a meat thermometer which should read 74 °C.

  7. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  8. Serve your fried chicken hot and crispy.

Fun Fact

Although frying chicken this way is not so common in Italy, the term “buttermilk” refers to an ingredient widely used in American cuisine that can be easily substituted with milk and lemon, making it more accessible in Italian kitchens. The buttermilk marinade makes the chicken particularly tender and flavorful.