Buttermilk Pan-Fried Chicken with Honey

by Mary Sacks

This recipe might call for buttermilk. But you can make your own with ingredients you already have.

Ingredients

3½ lb. chicken, cut into 10 pieces (breasts halved)
1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
¾ tsp. cayenne powder
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups buttermilk
extra-virgin olive oil, for frying
6 fresh rosemary sprigs
honey, for serving (optional)

Directions

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle both sides with ½ tsp. of salt. Let the chicken come to room temperature (about 25 minutes).
In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic and onion powders, cayenne, black pepper, and the remaining teaspoon salt. Pour the buttermilk into another medium bowl.
Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is completely coated, then dip into the buttermilk. Now dredge once more in the flour mixture. Place on a rimmed sheet pan lined with a wire rack.
Fill a large, heavy-bottomed, high-sided pot or a Dutch oven with ¾ inch of oil and place over medium heat (and no higher than medium). Heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer reads 325°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil by sprinkling in a little flour – it should sizzle immediately.
Carefully add the chicken to the pot skin-side down without overcrowding (you will most likely have to cook in batches). Fry the chicken, turning occasionally, for 12-18 minutes, until golden brown and crisp, and cooked through (you can cut into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone to make sure it’s no longer pink – the dark meat will take the longest). The oil should maintain rapid but in-control bubbles and the oil temperature should stay around 325°F, so adjust the heat as necessary. Let the chicken drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Fry the rosemary sprigs in the hot oil for about 30 seconds, or until crisp.
Serve the chicken hot or cold with the fried rosemary. Drizzle with honey if you like.