BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken pieces into a plastic container and cover with buttermilk.
• Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours .
• Drain chicken in a colander.
• Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Liberally season chicken with this mixture.
• Then, dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess (by seasoning before you flour, you trap the seasoning under the flour coating, and you use a lot less seasoning than if you tried to put it in the flour and hope it catches on the chicken).
• Melt enough shortening (over low heat) to come just 1/8-inch up the side of a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy fry pan.
• Once shortening liquefies raise heat to 325 degrees F.
• Do not allow oil to go over 325 degrees F.
• Place chicken skin side down into the pan.
• Put thighs in the center (they take longer to cook and can use the extra center heat), and breast and legs around the edge of the pan.
• The oil should come half way up the pan once the chicken is added.
• Cook chicken until golden brown on each side, approximately 10-12 minutes per side.
• The internal temperature should be right around 180 degrees.
• (Be careful to monitor shortening temperature every few minutes).
• Drain chicken on a rack over a sheet pan, NOT on paper towels or brown paper bags which just cause the chicken to soak in their own oil.
• If you need to hold the chicken before serving, cover loosely with foil but avoid holding in a warm oven, especially if it?.
• s a gas oven, which is very moist and will ruin your beautiful chicken crust!