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Buttermilk and Pickle Juice Brined Fried Chicken

August 14, 2018 by Tonja 4 Comments

Ok there–I said it.  FRIED CHICKEN.  In a brine of buttermilk and pickle juice.  I don’t know what it will take for you to make this but I promise you can do it. You really can.  Just start working out now.  It’s worth every bite.  You also have to pour Louisiana hot sauce over the top of this pile of crispy goodness. It’s truly a marvelous endeavor.  Then drop the mic—-just drop it and walk away.

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Buttermilk and Pickle Juice Brined Fried Chicken

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  • Author: Tonja Engen
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (32- oz) jar dill pickles (Yield 1 1/2 cups of pickle juice)
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp tabasco sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
  • 6 skin-on, bone in, chicken drumsticks
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • Louisiana hot sauce
  • Malden sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pour 1 1/2 cups pickle juice from jar in large measuring bowl. Whisk together pickle juice, buttermilk, 1 tsp kosher salt, tabasco sauce and egg. Place chicken in a zip-loc bag and pour brine mixture over chicken. Seal and turn bag to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to overnight, turning bag occasionally.Slice 1 cup of pickles into round slices.
  2. Fill a large Dutch oven or pot with 2 inches oil. Heat oil to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
  3. In a shallow baking bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, 1 tsp. kosher salt and pepper. Working with one piece at a time, remove chicken from brine, shaking off excess. Dredge in flour mixture and set aside on baking sheet. When oil is hot, add chicken to the pot being careful not to crowd (usually 3 thighs and 1 drumstick at a time). Fry 8-10 minutes or until golden and done, turning to cook evenly. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with Malden sea salt and pour a few shakes of Louisiana hot sauce over each piece, if desired. Serve with pickles.

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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Uncategorized Tagged With: buttermilk, fried chicken, pickle juice brine, pickles

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Comments

  1. Miranda says

    January 22, 2019 at 2:22 pm

    I can’t wait to try this recipe!! It looks like the perfect amount of crispiness without getting dry. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Tonja says

      January 22, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks for finding my recipe. I hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Michael Shaleesh says

    February 25, 2024 at 6:05 pm

    Great recipe. Super juicy chicken and very flavorful and crispy!

    Reply
    • Tonja says

      February 25, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

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Tonja

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