MRS. HOVIS'S FRIED CHICKEN

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Mrs. Hovis's Fried Chicken image

Provided by Craig Claiborne

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 45m

Yield 8 or more servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 chickens, each about 3 pounds
2 teaspoons coarse salt, such as kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 cups unbleached flour
1 pound solid white shortening
1 pound pure lard (or increase the quantity of white shortening by 1 pound)
1/4 cup bacon fat

Steps:

  • Carefully cut each chicken into 8 pieces: 2 legs, 2 thighs, 2 breast pieces, 2 wings (with wing tips removed, if desired). Use the carcasses for soups and stock.
  • Combine the salt, black pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika and cayenne, and blend well. Coat chicken pieces with this mixture.
  • Coat the pieces with flour. The Southern technique calls for putting the flour in a large, heavy brown paper bag, adding the chicken pieces a few at a time and tossing. Remove and shake off excess flour.
  • Heat half the white shortening, half the lard and half the bacon fat in each of two large skillets, preferably black iron. Heat the fat until it is lightly smoking.
  • Put the chicken pieces in, skin side up, and cook until crisp and golden brown on one side, about 12 to 14 minutes. Turn the pieces and continue cooking 12 to 14 minutes on the second side, taking care not to burn the pieces.

Sunve Shikder
[email protected]

This recipe is a winner! The chicken was crispy, juicy, and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.


Fact Unlimited
[email protected]

This is the best fried chicken recipe I've ever tried. It's so easy to make, and the results are always perfect. The chicken is always crispy and juicy, and the flavor is out of this world.


Thomas Butler
[email protected]

I'm not a huge fan of fried chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The chicken was so crispy and juicy, and the flavor was incredible. I'll definitely be making this again.


Haseeb Mastoi
[email protected]

Amazing! This recipe is a game-changer. The chicken was crispy, juicy, and flavorful. I'll never make fried chicken any other way again.


Alicia Aguilar
[email protected]

I followed the recipe exactly, and the chicken turned out perfectly. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The flavor was also great.


Zulfpqar MUGHAL
[email protected]

This was the best fried chicken I've ever had. The coating was so crispy and flavorful, and the chicken was so juicy and tender. I will definitely be making this again and again.


Roshan Mohan
[email protected]

I was skeptical at first, but this recipe really delivered. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and the flavor was amazing. I'll definitely be making this again.


Robiul Hossan all tips
[email protected]

This recipe is a keeper! The chicken was delicious, and the coating was perfectly crispy. I will definitely be making this again.


Yousf Sadaf
[email protected]

I've tried a lot of fried chicken recipes, but this one is my favorite. It's so simple to make, and the results are always amazing. The chicken is always crispy and juicy, and the flavor is out of this world.


Iaj Ja
[email protected]

This fried chicken was a hit at our family dinner! The coating was crispy and flavorful, and the chicken was juicy and tender. It was easy to make, too. I'll definitely be making this again.