Homestyle Fried Chicken

Name: Homestyle Fried Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 tbsp Dan-O’s SPG Tri-O (Salt, Pepper, Garlic) Seasoning, divided; 4 tbsp Dan-O’s Original Seasoning, divided; 3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks, skin removed; 4 cups buttermilk, or enough to submerge the chicken; 2 cups self-rising flour; 2 cups Crisco vegetable shortening, for frying

My granny’s homestyle fried chicken means something extra to me, my friends. After my uncle passed away following his fight with cancer, one of the things he left our family was the exact way Granny made her fried chicken. She always removed the chicken skin because she said it was not good for you, but the self-rising flour created such a thick, crispy crust that, as a kid, I thought the skin was still there. We are keeping Granny’s Crisco-fried tradition alive while adding Dan-O’s SPG Tri-O and Dan-O’s Original Seasoning for plenty of savory, herby flavor. It is crispy, juicy, full of family memories, and absolutely Dan-Good.

Prep Time

15 Mins

Cook Time

50 Mins

Serving Size

Flavors Used:

Ingredients

4 tbsp Dan-O’s SPG Tri-O (Salt, Pepper, Garlic) Seasoning, divided
4 tbsp Dan-O’s Original Seasoning, divided
3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks, skin removed
4 cups buttermilk, or enough to submerge the chicken
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups Crisco vegetable shortening, for frying

Let’s Make It!

Marinate the Chicken: Place the skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks in a large bowl. Season the chicken with half of the Dan-O’s SPG Tri-O and half of the Dan-O’s Original Seasoning. Pour in the buttermilk, making sure the chicken is completely submerged. Gently massage the chicken to distribute the seasonings throughout the buttermilk. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Prepare the Oven and Baking Rack: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a wire baking rack over a rimmed baking sheet and set it near the stove. The chicken will finish cooking on the rack in the oven after frying.
Season the Flour: Add the self-rising flour to a shallow dish. Mix in the remaining Dan-O’s SPG Tri-O and Dan-O’s Original Seasoning until evenly combined.
Bread the Chicken: Remove one piece of chicken from the buttermilk and gently shake or tap it against the side of the bowl to remove the excess. Place the chicken in the seasoned flour, then toss and press the flour firmly onto every side until completely coated. Transfer the breaded chicken to a clean tray and repeat with the remaining pieces.
Heat the Crisco: Add the Crisco vegetable shortening to a large cast-iron skillet and melt it over medium-high heat. Heat the melted shortening to approximately 325°F. Monitor the temperature closely and adjust the burner as needed to keep the shortening between 325 and 350°F while frying.
Fry the Chicken Thighs: Carefully place the chicken thighs in the hot shortening meat-side down, leaving the bone side facing up. Fry without moving them for approximately 4 minutes, or until the first side develops a deep golden-brown crust. Flip the thighs and fry the second side for approximately 3 minutes. Transfer the browned thighs to the prepared wire rack meat-side up, then place the baking sheet in the preheated oven while the drumsticks fry.
Fry the Drumsticks: Carefully place the drumsticks in the hot shortening. Fry over medium heat, rotating them every 1 to 2 minutes so each side develops an even, golden-brown crust. Transfer the browned drumsticks to the wire rack with the chicken thighs.
Finish the Chicken in the Oven: Return the baking sheet with all the chicken to the oven. Bake at 350°F for approximately 35 minutes, or until the thickest part of each piece reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F without the thermometer touching the bone. For the tender texture shown in the original recipe, the chicken may reach approximately 185–190°F.
Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the rack for 10–15 minutes. Serve it hot with buttered noodles, red cabbage, and green beans for the full homestyle meal. Yum Yum Get Ya Sum!