Hometown Buffet Fried Chicken (copycat)

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 8 -10 pieces premium quality fresh chicken
• salt & ground black pepper
• vegetable shortening
• 4 beaten large eggs
• 2 tablespoons lawry's seasoned salt (use lawry's brand only)
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• canola oil

Recipe

• 1 sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper; rub seasonings into chicken; coat chicken with pure vegetable shortening (this will help seal in the juices).
• 2 measure the breading ingredients -- except flour and cornstarch -into a large sealable container or a large zip-lock bag; seal the container; shake to blend; open container and add 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup cornstarch; seal and shake again, until thoroughly combined.
• 3 beat 4 large eggs in a medium bowl for the eggwash.
• 4 dip 1-2 pieces wet chicken at a time into the eggwash to coat.
• 5 place wet chicken into the breading mixture container; seal container firmly; shake chicken gently in all motions to thoroughly coat chicken.
• 6 transfer chicken pieces onto a cooling rack when chicken is evenly and generously breaded; allow chicken to rest and absorb the breading for a few minutes before frying.
• 7 preheat deep-fryer manufacturer's recommended amount of canola oil; very slowly heat oil in gradual increments to 315°f until preheated.
• 8 add breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding.
• 9 lower the deep-frying basket with chicken very slowly into the hot oil; fry chicken until golden and crisp, until fully cooked fully cooked and juices run clear (about 15-18 minutes, depending on chicken portion/size).
• 10 drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet. note: to keep chicken warm before serving, place chicken on a rack-fitted baking sheet covered with a sheet of foil in preheated 170°f oven; serve and enjoy!