Ingredients
8 servings
- •2 cups water
- •1 cup coarse kosher salt
- •6 cups cold ice water
- •4 chicken thighs
- •4 chicken drumsticks
- •2 cups buttermilk
- •¾ cup coconut milk
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •2 cups all-purpose flour
- •¼ cup semolina flour
- •2 tablespoons cornstarch
- •1 tablespoon white pepper
- •3 cups peanut oil, for frying
- •¼ cup berbere
- •¼ cup hot smoked paprika
- •2 tablespoons ground cumin
- •2 tablespoons white pepper
- •2 tablespoons celery salt
- •1 ½ teaspoons granulated garlic
- •1 ½ teaspoons coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, add 2 cups (470 ml) of water and the salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve all the salt. Remove from heat and pour into a larger pot/container.
- Add the ice water into the pot to cool. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 ½ hours.
- Prepare the chicken shake. In a small bowl, whisk together all the chicken shake ingredients.
- NOTE: Makes about 1 cup (110g) that will keep for 6 months. Store in a jar out of the light.
- In a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, add buttermilk, coconut milk, and garlic.
- Add 1 tablespoon of chicken shake and whisk together.
- Remove the chicken from the saltwater, dab on paper towels to remove excess liquid, then add into the buttermilk marinade. Roll to coat each piece. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Fill a large cast iron pan ⅔-full with peanut oil over medium-high heat. Heat to 360˚F (182˚C).
- While the oil is heating, coat the marinated chicken. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, cornstarch, and white pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll in the flour mixture, packing it on so the chicken is completely coated.
- Set coated chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. If the coating looks damp, roll it in the flour mixture again.
- Working in batches, fry the chicken until it is brown and golden on both sides and reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F (73˚C), about 10 minutes per batch. NOTE: Adjust heat to keep the oil between 350-375˚F (180-190˚C).
- Drain on a rack set over a baking sheet. Rest 8-10 minutes.
- Fry the chicken a second time, only for about 3 minutes, to really crisp up the skin. Drain on a rack.
- Sprinkle with additional chicken shake.
- Enjoy!
Nutritional Facts
Per 8 servings
- Calories: 1106
- Carbohydrate: 40g
- Fat: 92g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Sugar: 3g