Truly Authentic Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

Umm...mmm...Southern Fried Chicken! It's crispy, golden brown on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor from the first crunchy bite to the last shred of meat next to the bone. If your family prefers a trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken or Popeye's over sitting down to your homemade chicken dinner, you have my deepest sympathy. Truly authentic, truly delicious Southern Fried Chicken isn't difficult to achieve, you just haven't found the right recipe...until now.

My family recipe originated in Tennessee with great-great-granny Shoemake sometime around the Civil War and has played a starring role in every family reunion, company picnic, and church potluck supper through the generations. The real secret is in the two long soaks - first in brine, then in buttermilk. The saltwater soak makes the meat flavorful and juicy. The buttermilk tenderizes the meat and further enhances the flavor. You may adjust the seasonings in the dredge to suit your family's taste, but never omit the two long soaks, even if you don't happen to be a fan of buttermilk.

Granny's Authentic Southern Fried Chicken


Preparation time:Overnight
Cooking time: About 35 min.
Yield: 4-5 servings (2 pcs. each)

4-5 lbs. chicken pieces
4 cups salt brine
1½ cups buttermilk
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. pepper (black or cayenne)
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground sage
1 cup flour for dredging
Oil or shortening to fill skillet ½ inch deep

Seasoning options: If you want to duplicate The Colonel's 11 herbs and spices, add 1 pkg. of Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix to the dredge. If Popeye's seasoning is more to your family's taste, also add 1 pkg. of Campbell's Tomato Cup-A-Soup.