Ruth Anns Fried Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Stir together the buttermilk, paprika, cayenne and 2 teaspoons of the salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and submerge them to coat. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes but ideally as long as possible (up to 2 hours at room temperature or up to 8 hours refrigerated).
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F; set a rack in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and remaining 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl. Remove the chicken from the soak mixture and add to the flour mixture, turning to coat. Remove, dip again in the soak mixture and then again in the flour mixture.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a very large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, shallow-fry the chicken in batches, turning once, until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoid the bone) registers 165 degrees F, around 15 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to finish cooking through if necessary. Serve with warmed maple syrup if desired for dipping.

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, cook the chicken, green peppers, onion and garlic in oil until chicken juices run clear. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomatoes and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until thickened. Serve over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley.

Steps:

• Trim chicken of excess fat. Put in large bowl, add salt and cover with buttermilk. Chill overnight or for at least 4 hours.
• Drain chicken in a colander.
• Put flour and seasonings (feel free to add other herbs to the mix. Ruth Ann was a purest, but didn't object to a little dried thyme or cayenne on occasion.) in a large paper or plastic bag. Add chicken and shake.
• Choose a skillet at least 12 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep, that can be covered. Add enough oil, or oil and lard, or lard and butter, or oil and butter, to come to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Turn heat to medium-high. Be aware that butter burns faster than oil or lard, but it adds indescribable flavor. High quality lard is hard to find. Crisco may be substituted. If you are using butter, skim any foam as it rises to the top.
• When oil is hot (a pinch of flour will sizzle) raise heat to high. Slowly add chicken pieces (if you add them all at once, tempurature will plummet and chicken will be greasy). Cover skillet and reduce heat to medium high, and cook for 7 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken until all is fried.
• Uncover skillet, turn chicken and continue to cook, uncovered for another 7 minutes. Turn chicken again and cook for about 5 minutes more, turning as necessary to ensure that both sides are golden rown.
• Remove chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature. Refrigerating makes fried chicken soggy, but if you do have leftovers, soggy fried chicken makes a great addition to a green salad, just remove skin, slice and toss with a simple vinegrette, mandarin orange slices and toasted almonds.