Brined and Fried Chicken

Name: Brined and Fried Chicken
Ingredients: 1 3 ½ pound chicken, cut into 10 pieces; 2 quarts cold water; 0.667 cup coarse salt; 0.333 cup granulated sugar; 0.333 cup molasses; 8 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 bay leaves; 0.667 cup all-purpose flour; 0.667 cup fine ground cornmeal; 0.5 teaspoon coarse salt; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 4 large eggs; 3 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

3.8

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By

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on April 30, 2014

Yield:

10 pieces

To ensure a crispy, golden coating and well-cooked meat, keep an eye on the temperature of the oil; it needs to come back up to 350 degrees before adding the second batch of chicken.

Ingredients

1 3 ½ pound chicken, cut into 10 pieces

FOR THE BRINE

2 quarts cold water
⅔ cup coarse salt
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup molasses
8 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves

FOR FRYING

⅔ cup all-purpose flour
⅔ cup fine ground cornmeal
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 large eggs
3 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

Combine 1 cup water with remaining brining ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring just until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Combine brine mixture with remaining cold water in a large bowl or deep baking dish. Add chicken to bowl, making sure chicken is covered with the brining liquid. Store in fridge at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
Remove chicken from brining liquid and pat dry. Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, and red pepper flakes in a shallow dish. Whisk eggs in another shallow dish. Coat chicken in flour mixture, then eggs, and again in flour mixture. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a cooling rack.
Heat oil to 350 degrees in a large pot. Working in 2 batches, fry chicken for 15 minutes, turning once, until chicken is deep golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve hot or cold.