Name: Extra Crispy Fried Chicken
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt; 1/4 cup freshly ground pepper; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 1/2 tablespoons minced rosemary, plus 4 medium sprigs; 1 1/2 tablespoons minced thyme, plus 4 sprigs; 1 1/2 tablespoons minced sage, plus 4 sprigs; 5 minced bay leaves, preferably fresh, plus 5 whole leaves; 3 garlic cloves, minced, plus 1 head, broken into cloves; Two 3-pound whole chickens; 1 quart buttermilk; 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco; 1 teaspoon sugar; Grapeseed or vegetable oil, for frying; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup rice flour; 1/4 cup garlic powder; 1/4 cup onion powder; Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling; Lemon wedges, for serving

To make his phenomenal fried chicken, Tyler Florence first bakes it low and slow, so it's juicy. Then he coats the chicken pieces in seasoned flour and fries them in oil that's been flavored with garlic and herbs. Slideshow: More Fried Chicken Recipes

Tyler Florence

Updated on March 1, 2014

Extra Crispy Fried Chicken — Photo: © John Kernick

Active Time:

1 hrs 15 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 30 mins

Yield:

6 to 8

Ingredients

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt
1/4 cup freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons minced rosemary, plus 4 medium sprigs
1 1/2 tablespoons minced thyme, plus 4 sprigs
1 1/2 tablespoons minced sage, plus 4 sprigs
5 minced bay leaves, preferably fresh, plus 5 whole leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced, plus 1 head, broken into cloves
Two 3-pound whole chickens
1 quart buttermilk
1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 teaspoon sugar
Grapeseed or vegetable oil, for frying
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup onion powder
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200°. In a bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons of the kosher salt with 2 tablespoons of the pepper, the olive oil and the minced rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves and garlic. Rub the mixture all over the chickens and set them in a roasting pan. Roast for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thighs registers 150°. Let the chickens cool, then cut each into 10 pieces. (You should have 4 drumsticks, 4 thighs, 4 wings and 8 breast quarters.)
In a very large bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the hot sauce and sugar. Add the chicken pieces and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of grapeseed oil to 375° with the rosemary, thyme and sage sprigs, the 5 whole bay leaves and the head of garlic. When the herbs are crispy and the garlic is golden, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the all-purpose and rice flours with the garlic and onion powders. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of kosher salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of pepper.
Remove half of the chicken pieces from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, patting it on lightly so it adheres. Fry the chicken over high heat, turning occasionally, until golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of each piece registers 160°, about 6 minutes for the breasts and 8 minutes for the wings, thighs and drumsticks. Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel–lined baking sheet to drain. Let the oil return to 375° before you coat and fry the remaining chicken. Transfer the fried chicken to a platter and garnish with the fried garlic and herbs. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve right away with lemon wedges.