Rosemary Brined Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe Epicuriouscom

Steps:

• Place buttermilk in a large, shallow nonreactive dish and add chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Combine flour, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large plastic bag.
• Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk and add to bag with flour mixture. Shake to coat; dust off excess.
• Pour 3/4" peanut oil into a heavy skillet. Heat oil over medium-high heat until it registers 350° on a deep-fry thermometer. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces, a few at a time. Fry each piece for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is crispy and golden and internal temperature registers 165° on an instant-read thermometer. Drain on paper towels; serve.

Steps:

• 1. For the brine. In a saucepan add oil and saute the onion and garlic for about 3 minutes. Add the salt and rosemary and cook 30 seconds. Add the water and lemon squeezing the lemon. Once warmed and salt is dissolved remove from heat and let cool completely. Place the chicken in a large pot or bowl. Pour the cooled brine over the chicken pieces. Make sure the chicken is submerged adding more water if needed or place a plate on top of the chicken pieces. Place in fridge and let sit for 12 to 24 hours.
• 2. Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse with water then pat it dry. Set the chicken on a tray and refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours to dry.
• 3. Mix all the dry ingredients together and place in two separate shallow dishes. Pour the buttermilk in a third shallow dish. Heat oil to 350 degrees.
• 4. Dredge each piece of chicken in flour mixture then buttermilk then back in flour and place on a wire rack. Deep fry the chicken in batches so you don't crowd them about 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to sit another 5 minutes on a clean rack.

Steps:

• Brine:
• Toast mustard, cumin, and fennel seeds in a large pot over medium-low heat, tossing often, until fragrant and mustard seeds are starting to pop, about 1 minute. Add salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove pan from heat and add 8 cups ice water, then chicken pieces. Cover pot with plastic wrap and chill chicken at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
• Assembly:
• Place 2 cups flour in a shallow bowl. Whisk cornstarch, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, fennel, 1 Tbsp. or 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and remaining 4 cups flour in another shallow bowl to combine. Whisk eggs and buttermilk in a third shallow bowl to combine.
• Remove chicken pieces from brine and pat dry; discard brine. Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge chicken in plain flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Transfer chicken to bowl with seasoned flour and coat, packing all around chicken and firmly into cracks and crevices; shake off excess. Place chicken on 2 wire racks set inside rimmed baking sheets.
• Pour oil into a large pot to come halfway up sides. Fit pot with thermometer and heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in 4 batches, fry chicken, turning often with tongs and adjusting heat to maintain temperature, until brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of chicken registers 165°F for dark meat and 160°F for white meat, 10-14 minutes per batch. Transfer chicken to clean wire racks and let rest 10 minutes.
• Serve fried chicken with barbecue sauce and pickles.
• Do Ahead
• Chicken can be dredged 2 hours ahead. Chill uncovered on rimmed baking sheets. Chicken can be fried 2 hours ahead. Let sit uncovered at room temperature. Reheat in a 250°F oven if desired.

Steps:

• Mix buttermilk, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl; stir to combine.
• Massage rosemary sprigs to release fragrant oils. Put rosemary in a large resealable plastic bag; pour in buttermilk mixture. Add chicken parts to the bag, seal carefully, and place in refrigerator. Marinate, turning the bag occasionally, 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Transfer chicken to a plate; discard marinade. Grill chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, turning a few times, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).