Photo: John Lee
This recipe is full of Southern flavor that comes from soaking chicken in a buttermilk and hot sauce marinade before frying with bacon drippings in a skillet.
How to Make It
Step 1
For the marinade, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Pour into a large zip-top bag, and add the chicken. Seal the bag, rub to coat the meat, and refrigerate for 6 hours.
Step 2
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.
Step 3
In a large heavy skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet, and drain. Reserve drippings in the skillet.
Step 4
Add enough vegetable oil to the skillet drippings to be 1 inch deep, and heat over medium heat to 325°. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
Step 5
Remove the chicken from the marinade, and dredge in the flour mixture.
Step 6
Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil, and fry, turning often, for 20 to 24 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear. Maintain a frying temperature of 320°. Drain the chicken on the wire rack.
Step 7
For the gravy, carefully pour off the hot oil, reserving about 1/4 cup in the skillet. Over low heat, whisk in the 1/4 cup flour, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually add the heavy cream, and cook for 6 minutes or until creamy. Stir in the sherry and salt, and cook for 1 minute.
Step 8
Serve the gravy over the chicken with reserved bacon.
Fried Chicken by Rebecca Lang.
Buttermilk Soaked, Bacon Fried Chicken and Gravy