Best Southern Fried Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 200 F. Place a rack in a large rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
2. 2In a medium bowl, add 1 1/2 cups milk and 2 large eggs . Whisk to combine.
3. 3In a large, heavy-duty, resealable food storage bag, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons fine salt, and 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper. Seal and shake to combine.
4. 4Dip 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces in the milk-egg mixture and let excess drip off into the bowl. Set already dipped pieces aside on a plate until you have three or four.
5. 5Add the dipped chicken pieces to the bag of seasoned flour.
6. 6Seal the bag and shake well to coat the chicken pieces thoroughly.
7. 7Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
8. 8Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-duty skillet to 350 F. While the oil is heating up, line a large serving plate with paper towels and set aside.
9. 9Fry the chicken a few pieces at a time until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally for even color, about 10 minutes per side. Be careful not to put too many chicken pieces in at once, even if they can comfortably fit, since this will dramatically drop the temperature of the oil, affecting the crispness of the chicken. Note that depending on their size, the chicken breasts will take a little less time than dark meat pieces.
10. 10With a slotted spoon, move the chicken pieces onto the prepared paper towel-lined platter to drain as they become done. Sprinkle generously with salt while the pieces are still hot.
11. 11Transfer the drained chicken to the prepared baking sheet with a rack. Keep warm in the oven while frying the rest of the chicken. Serve and enjoy.