Fried chicken is an American favorite with almost an endless amount of variations. While a flour coating is considered classic, covering your chicken pieces in seasoned and crushed Ritz crackers gives them an extra crispy texture and a rich, buttery flavor. Don't hesitate to add your favorite herbs to the cracker mixture; fried chicken is easily adapted to suit your taste preferences.
Step 1
Place a large cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add in shortening or oil to a depth of about 1/8 inch. Let the fat heat up to 325 to 350 degrees F.
Step 2
Place the Ritz crackers inside the bowl of the food processor. Pulse continuously until the crackers resemble fine crumbs.
Step 3
Pour the cracker crumbs into a shallow baking dish. Add the salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper, and stir to combine.
Step 4
Pour the buttermilk into a large bowl and dip each chicken piece into it. Make sure each is covered completely.
Step 5
Dredge each chicken piece in the cracker crumb mixture. Use your fingers to gently press the cracker coating into the chicken so it adheres better.
Step 6
Lower each chicken piece into the hot oil using tongs. Thighs should go in the center of the pan, with legs and breasts on the edges. Make sure there's enough room that chicken pieces aren't touching each other; overcrowding the pan will lower the oil temperature significantly.
Step 7
Fry the chicken until the skin is golden brown and crispy and the meat is cooked through. Make sure to turn the pieces over in the middle of cooking. Expect the meat to cook for 10 to 12 minutes per side.
Step 8
Drain the chicken pieces on a wire rack placed over paper towels to get rid of excess oil.
Tips and Warnings
- If you don't have a food processor, place the Ritz crackers in a freezer bag and seal well. Then roll over the crackers with a rolling pin until you have fine, even crumbs. If your pan is too small to accommodate all the chicken pieces at once, fry in two batches, keeping the first batch warm by covering it with aluminum foil.
Things You'll Need
- 1 whole fryer chicken, cut into thigh, leg and breast parts
- Large cast iron skillet
- Vegetable shortening or peanut oil
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers
- Food processor
- 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
- 2 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- Large bowl
- Shallow baking dish
- Tongs
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