Mama's Fried Chicken

One dinner I always looked forward to as a kid was my mom's fried chicken! To me, she made the best and nobody else could beat it! It was never the same if I ate it at another friends house... It just left me craving for my mom's! I was about 13 the first time I attempted to make it and I've made it a few times since, but having moved out recently, I knew I had to master it as I wouldn't have as many chances to eat the chicken my mom fried with her own hands. So I called my mom up and asked her, again, how to make her fried chicken. She asked what cut I had, if it was skinless or had the skin and then she made her suggestions. She told me that if the chicken has no skin, to use an egg wash, but if it had skin, to just use water. Since I used skin, I will post that recipe here today. The flour mixture would remain the same either way... So, on to the recipe...


Ingredients:

  • chicken cuts of choice, I used 6 thighs
  • water for wash, fill up a medium bowl large enough to fit chicken in
  • flour, about 2 cups
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • about 1 Tbs. sugar, or to taste ( you want to know it's there, but not really taste it)
  • paprika to taste
  • also, you can marinate your chicken beforehand, I used some Penzeys Southwest Seasoning this time
  • shortening, to fry
Method:

Wash chicken and marinate, if doing so. Mix flour, salt, pepper, sugar, and paprika to taste. Adjust accordingly. Heat enough shortening in a large skillet to submerge chicken at least half way. Test oil temperature by taking a bit of the flour sticking to your fingers and drop in oil. You want it to float to top, not too fast, and fry at an even pace (about 360 degrees.) Take chicken and rinse in water, dredge through flour, dip quickly in water again, and dredge one final time through flour. Repeat with all the chicken. Add chicken to hot oil and fry, about 20 minutes, on each side. Drain on racks or paper towel and serve!

36 comments:

Sum Raj said...

yes meesco..mom's recipe are the best recipe...chicken deep fry looks fabulous...i luve that plate soo much with filled colourful food...comfort dinner..good entry

Swati said...

Hi Meeso

We just cant get over our Mum's cooking.. The flavors since childhood have settled so much within us, isnt it.. The food she makes is just the best.. I love my mums cooking too :))
The chicken looks delicious...

Cham said...

Every mom get the own touch, i don't know it is magical mom's cuisine :) I love fried chicken, may be i will try without the skin :) That's a yummy and confort food !

Paula said...

Recipes from mom are the best! This recipe is unique in many ways! I've not seen sugar added before, and the dipping in water is new to me as well. It looks so good on that plate! YUM!

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Suma!

~ Thanks, Swati! I know I could never get over my mom's cooking, and even to this day, she talks about HER mom's cooking and how much she misses it!

~ Thanks, Cham!

~ Thanks, Paula! The sugar was a surprise to me the first time my mom said she added it... but it really does do something for the flavor and I was shocked when she told me to use water as I imagined it just washing off the flour, but it really worked :)

test it comm said...

That fried chicken looks really good.

Cynthia said...

What is it that we find so comforting about fried chicken?

vandana rajesh said...

Mom is definitely the best cook in the world. Delicious looking chicken. Thks for sharing the recipe.

Unknown said...

Delicious entry...Mom is definitely the best cook in the world.no doubt...

Ranjani said...

Mommy ALWAYS cooks best:)
Your chicken looks crispy- I'm sure it measured up to your mom's...!

@the_whisk_affair said...

the fried chicken looks absolutely delicious, meeso!! yummy!

Sum Raj said...

An award for u, come and collect it :)

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Kevin!

~ Hey Cynthia, I'm not certain, but it sure is serious comfort food :)

~ Thanks Vandana, Srikar, Ranjani, JZ & Suma :)

maimoona said...

It must be great, moms recipes never fail as they are full of experience and love.

ST said...

Mom is definitely the best cook in the world full of love and experience.chicken deep fry looks awesome....

Shreya said...

mom's are the best cooks ever! lovely fried chicken.. i liked he aloo kurma and batura too:-)

Dori said...

~ Thanks Maimoona, Sireesha, and Shreya!

Vani said...

Your aloo kurma & bature from the previous post look yum! And the fried chicken sounds delicious, Meeso! There are a few recipes of my mom's that when I re-create, do not match up to what she makes. I think it's the special ingredient called 'mom's love'! :)

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

I always like fried chicken. Looks lovely.i must have to try it.

A Surprise for you in my blog.

Padma said...

Fried chicken is always a favorite for meat eaters and tops the list. Yours look similar to nuggets we get in Mac Loved that plate.

Dori said...

~ Hi, Vani... I agree, I will never make anything as good as my mom and I think I just like eating food she has cooked for me... I miss those times as a kid... Thanks for stopping by :)

~ Thanks Valarmathi and Padma :)

Sujatha said...

I love baked chicken, anytime! Yours looks crispy and delicious!

Chef Jeena said...

Your fried chicken looks delicious. :-)

Dori said...

~ Thanks Sujatha & Jeena!

Suganya said...

Hi....
Fried chicken looks so good. Turned out so perfect for u. YUM!. So crunchy....

Bharathy said...

First time here!..

Meeso!..The american sweetie who cooks Indian food..Amazing!!
Quite appreciable..
Love all of your homely dishes here :D

Deeba PAB said...

YAY I love this Doris...no egg in the wash. Simple & beautiful!! xoxox

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Sukanya :)

~ Bharathy, I'm glad you stopped by :)

~ Hi Deeba, Thanks :) It turns out perfect, even without the egg!

Nina Timm said...

Mama Mia, this looks scrumptious!!!!

Sum Raj said...

happy friendship day

lubnakarim06 said...

Mama's Fried Chicken looks delicious.

Swati said...

Hey, where are you??

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Nina!

~ Thanks, Suma... Happy Friendship Day to you, too :)

~ Thanks, Kitchen flavors!

~ I'll be back to posting again soon, Swati :)

Chef Jeena said...

Wow this chicken looks fantastic!

Noor said...

Ahh I know what you mean no one cooks it like my mom as well. I have tried and it never taste like hers or even that good really. I bought a deep fryer and yum it was good that way though.

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Jeena!

~ Hi Noor, I will always miss having my dinners made every night by mom, nothing can replace that!