Southern Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

Ingredients for Southern Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

• 1 fryer chicken (2 1/2-3 1/2 lb)

• Salt and freshly ground pepper

• 240ml buttermilk

• 1 tablespoon mustard

• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

• 2 teaspoons plain flour, plus more for dredging

• Vegetable oil for pan-frying

• 240ml whole milk, warmed

How to make Southern Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Trim the pieces of excess fat and season well with salt and pepper.

Whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and tarragon in a large bowl to make a marinade.

Put the marinade and chicken pieces in a resealable plastic bag, close, and squeeze until coated evenly. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours, turning occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 149°C.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge in the flour.

Pour the oil into a skillet to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat over medium heat until it registers 177°C on a deep-frying thermometer. Add the legs and thighs to the hot oil, in batches as needed. Pan-fry until golden brown on the first side, 6—7 minutes, then turn and fry on the second side until golden, 7—8 minutes more. Place on a rack in a baking pan and put in the oven. Use a slotted spoon to remove browned bits from the oil and let the oil return to 177°C. Continue frying the breast pieces in the same way, then add to the pan in the oven. Bake until the chicken is opaque throughout and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest parts registers 82°C for thigh and leg portions, about 25 minutes, and 77°C for breast portions, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the gravy. Use the slotted spoon to remove any browned bits from the oil in the pan and pour off all but 2—3 teaspoons Add the 2 teaspoons flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, to make a blond roux, 2 minutes. Add the milk to the roux, stirring well to remove all lumps. Cook over low heat, stirring and skimming as necessary, until thickened to a saucelike consistency, 5—10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Strain the gravy and serve with the chicken.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.