Saturday, May 2, 2009

My Kentucky Fried Chicken

Today is Derby Day and as I've mentioned before, I live near Louisville where the Kentucky Derby is run every first Saturday in May. With all the rain we have had, it looks like it's going to be a messy track. Hopefully, today's rain will hold off until after the race and all those pretty dresses and Derby hats won't be ruined.

Last year, I posted recipes for the Mint Julip and a Derby Pie. This year, I chose another Kentucky specialty, Kentucky Friend Chicken. Now, everyone knows that the KFC recipe of 11 special herbs and spices is a secret. It's even locked in a vault at KFC headquarters in Louisville. Many of us have their own version of this delicious chicken and below you will find mine.

Oh, and the horse I am picking to win the Derby is Musketman. That horse drinks one Guiness beer every day and you have to love a horse that likes beer.

Carol

My version of Kentucky Friend Chicken
3 lbs. chicken pieces
2 pkgs Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix
2 T. flour
2 t. salt
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 T. softened butter or margarine
20 oz. vegetable oil, approximate
1 c. milk
1 1/2 c. pancake mix
1 t. paprika
1/2 t. sage
1/4 t. pepper

Rinse chicken pieces with cold water and pat dry. Set aside. Make a paste with salad dressing mix, flour, salt and lemon juice. Cook the chicken pieces evenly with the paste. Place the pieces in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for several hours.

When ready to start cooking, heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Dip the pieces into the milk and then the pancake mix. Coat well.

Lightly brown the chicken for 4 mnutes on each side. Remove from skillet and place in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Spoon remaining milk over each piece. Cover the pan with foil and seal well. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour. Before removing from the oven, remove the foil and increase the temperature to 400 degrees. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. This will make the chicken crisp.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh, this sounds GOOD. I'm going to have to try this for a change of pace just to have some nice variety in how I fix chicken. Thanks Carol!
MRM