Years ago, on a business trip to Atlanta, I discovered the joy of tasting fried chicken. Deacon Burton’s, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and the Horseradish Grill were all on my list to try. However, it was at the Horseradish Grill where I found the perfect fried chicken made by Scott Peacock, a protégé of legendary chef Edna Lewis. The chicken was crispy, greaseless, well-seasoned with a dark brown crust and juicy meat – everything you could ask for in great fried chicken.
Recently at a Southern Foodways seminar in Atlanta, I received a copy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s food section dedicated to fried chicken recipes from various renowned chefs. It included recipes from Deacon Burton’s and Mary Mac’s as well as Austin Leslie’s Creole Fried Chicken with New Orleans Confetti. To complete my fried chicken education, I had the opportunity to chat with Scott Peacock about his and Edna Lewis’ famous recipe that he serves at Watershed in Atlanta.
The Best Fried Chicken Recipe Ever
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 2 quarts water
- One 3-pound chicken cut into 8 pieces
- 1 quart buttermilk
- 1 pound lard
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup country ham pieces or thick slice country ham strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions: To make the brine: Dissolve kosher salt in cold water and place chicken parts in brine for 8 to12 hours. Rinse out bowl after draining brined chicken. Pour buttermilk over drained chicken; refrigerate for another8 to12 hours. Prepare frying fat by cooking lard,butter,and country ham until browned; remove ham carefully. Heat fat to335 degrees before dredging drainedchickenin flour mixture. Fry dredgedchickenpieces until golden brownand cooked through (about8to10 minutes per side). Drain thoroughly before serving hot,warmat room temperature or cold.
This recipe is not only delicious but also versatile – perfect for any occasion! So next time you’re craving some mouth-watering fried chicken that will leave you wanting more every time!