Granny Foster’s Sunday Fried Chicken

Name: Granny Foster’s Sunday Fried Chicken
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: One 3- to 3 1/2-pound chicken, cut into 10 pieces (see Know-how); 3 tablespoons sea salt, plus more to taste; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar; 2 bay leaves; 2 cups well-shaken buttermilk; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste; Pinch of ground cayenne pepper; Crisco vegetable shortening or canola oil, for frying; Fried Chicken Gravy (recipe follows), for serving (optional)

December 14, 2011

Granny Foster made the best fried chicken in the world—salty and golden brown with a crackly crust that gave way to meat as moist and tender as could be. The secret is the overnight brine of water, salt, and spices that drives extra moisture and flavor into the meat, where they are locked in during the cooking process.

Recipe notes

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