Ingredients for Buttermilk Soak

3 cups buttermilk

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

4 pounds bone-in chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks

Ingredients for Flour Dredge

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 c. Vegetable oil and 1 stick unsalted butter for frying

How to Make It

Step 1    

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk with the salt & black pepper. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 2    

In a large, paper (grocery store) bag, mix the flour with the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne and shake to combine.

Step 3    

Set a rack on a baking sheet. Working with one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the buttermilk soak, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing so it adheres all over. Transfer the coated chicken to the rack and let stand for 30 minutes.

Step 4    

In a deep skillet, heat 1 inch of oil and ½ of the stick butter to 350°. Set another rack over a baking sheet; line with paper towels. Fry the chicken in batches at 315°, turning once, until golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of each piece registers 160°, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the paper-lined rack and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.