Fried chicken, also known as Southern Fried chicken, is a dish consisting of chicken pieces – usually from broiler chickens – which have been floured (or battered) and then fried to a golden crisp. What separates traditional fried chicken from other forms is that the chicken is cut at the joints and the bones and skin are left intact. Here is West Virginia, crisp, well-seasoned skin, rendered of excess fat, is a hallmark of well made fried chicken.
Throughout the world, different seasoning and spices are used to augment the flavor of fried chicken. Due to it’s versatility, it isn’t uncommon for a cook to flavor the chicken with a variety of spices ranging from spicy to savory and many locales have added their own personal mark to fried chicken by tweaking recipes to suit local preferences.
I must confess that I’m utterly hopeless when it comes to making traditional southern fried chicken. My momma makes the absolutely most delicious fried chicken I’ve ever tasted and has, for years, attempt to instruct me in the mysteries that shroud the way she makes her recipe. All to no avail – and I’ve pretty much given up. In a desperate attempt to serve fried chicken to my own family, I came up with a simple recipe that even those who are died in the wool fried chicken aficionados love. I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and have the added bonuses of the dish being healthier due to the lack of skin on the chicken as well as the fact that the chicken cooks more quickly from having the bones removed.
Herbed Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
- 6 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Egg
- ⅛ cup Milk
- 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Vegetable Oil
In a shallow dish, beat the egg and then beat in the milk. Set aside.
In another shallow dish, place the seasoned breadcrumbs.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until almost smoking.
Dip the chicken breasts in the egg wash, then dredge in the breadcrumbs.
Place dipped and dredged chicken in the skillet and fry until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Turn and continue frying until golden brown and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees), approximately 5 minutes longer.
Remove from skillet and place on paper towel lined plate to drain.