Easy Fried Chicken for a Picnic

I love fried chicken.

I would say that it is one of my favorite things in the entire world.

I like it with mashed potatoes, I like it dipped in honey, and I like it just plain.

It is really hard to find good fried chicken - particularly since I only like breasts.  Even more sad is that I really like KFC fried chicken (from before I truly realized how nasty factory farmed meat was).

I found my recipe.  Even my tennessee husband thinks it rocks.

Only bummer is that you have to plan in advance for this one - the buttermilk soak is critical.

This is my take on Alton Brown's Fried chicken reciepe.

It is REALLY easy to adjust for size - just use more chicken and flour :)  You can use bone in meat as well - don't change a thing.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Buttermilk
Peanut Oil
Thermometer
Flour
Cajun Seasoning
Salt Pepper


Take 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts and cut them into thirds.
Lay in a shallow baking dish and cover in buttermilk - let soak for 12-24 hours - the longer the better.
1 hour before cooking - take chicken out of fridge to come closer to room temperature.
In a cast iron skillet, heat peanut oil to 325 degrees (use a thermometer - this is critical).
While oil is heating, mix flour, a good bit of tony chachares cajun seasoning, salt and pepper.
drain off the buttermilk from the chicken and salt, pepper, and sprinke cajun seasoning on it.
Dredge the chicken pieces into the flour mixture.
Set in the oil and let cook for 10-12 minutes each side.  DO NOT MOVE the chicken or check it.
When each piece is done cooking, set out on a rack to cool.

It is fantastic hot and even better the next day, cold, at the beach :)