Fried Chicken With Virtue Cider Michigan Honey Butter Recipes

Steps:

• Pour 1/2 c melted butter in a baking dish.
• Combine flour, paprika, salt and pepper.
• Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture.
• Put chicken pieces in the baking dish and turn to coat with butter.
• Cover and bake, meaty side down, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Combine 1/4 c melted butter, lemon juice and honey.
• After the chicken pieces have cooked for 30 minutes, turn the pieces over.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken.
• Bake uncovered for an additional 25-30 minutes or until chicken is done.

Steps:

• To brine the chicken, begin by combining 3/4 C kosher salt, 1/2 C sugar, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and the lemon peel in a large pot and heat just until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally
• Cut the chicken breast pieces in half so they're roughly the same size as the thighs; place chicken pieces in brine for 12-24 hours
• When ready to fry, remove chicken from brine and dry with paper towels
• For the dredge, mix flours, spices, 3 tsp kosher salt, and baking powder well
• To begin breading the chicken, divide dredge into two deep containers
• Pour buttermilk into a third container. Add paprika and salt
• Batter chicken pieces one at a time by dipping first in the flour mixture, then buttermilk
• Drip slightly, then coat in second dredge container (don't let it get too thick!)
• Rest on a plate while battering the rest of the chicken. Heat oil to 340 degrees F
• Fry the chicken in batches making sure the oil is at a constant 315-320 degrees F
• Place on a wire rack over a cookie sheet or paper towels to cool. Dust with paprika and salt
• To make the Virtue Cider Michigan Honey Butter, whip all ingredients together until aerated and fluffy. Serve room temperature with hot chicken