Chicken Fried Chicken

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 c. whole buttermilk

1/4 c. pickle juice (from the jar)

1 large egg

2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 1/2 c. self-rising flour

1 tbsp. seasoned salt

2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

1/4 c. salted butter

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

4 c. warm whole milk, divided

3/4 tsp. salt, plus more taste

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Directions

For the chicken: Whisk together the buttermilk, pickle juice, and egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the chicken to the buttermilk mixture; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours.)

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 10 minutes before frying. In a medium shallow bowl, stir together the flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the chicken marinade until well combined (the mixture will be pebble-y). Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, patting to coat. Shake off the excess flour, and transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Add oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches in a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350°.

Preheat the oven to 200°.

When the oil is hot enough, fry the chicken, in batches, until golden brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. (The internal temperature of the chicken should read 165° on an instant read thermometer when finished.) Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Keep warm in the oven.

For the gravy: Discard the remaining oil in the skillet; wipe the skillet clean. Add the butter to the skillet; heat over medium heat until the butter melts. Sprinkle the flour over the butter; cook, whisking constantly, until the flour smells toasty and turns light golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Gradually add 3 cups of the milk, whisking to break up any clumps. Add salt and pepper, and bring to gentle simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy is smooth and thickened, about 3 minutes. Add more milk, if needed; season with additional salt and black pepper.

Divide the chicken among plates; spoon over the warm gravy. Sprinkle with more black pepper.