This is Phil Vickery's fried chicken with a healthy twist, inspired by the chicken dishes of the USA's deep south.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 225 g8 oz plain flour
- 4 medium eggs
- 175 ml6¼ fl oz cold water
- 8 medium chicken thighs, bone in and skin off
- Sunflower or safflower oil, for frying
Method: How to make Southern fried chicken
Preheat the oven to 220C/Gas 6.
Place the oregano, thyme, pepper, flour and salt into a medium bowl and mix well.
Whisk the eggs together with the water.
Toss the chicken thighs into the flour and spice mixture to lightly dust, remove from the flour and place on one side.
Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, shake off any excess then put back into the flour mixture to coat - it’s best to do this stage one piece at a time, otherwise you’ll get very messy!!
Heat a pan of vegetable oil about 2cm deep to about 175C, or when a piece of bread browns within 30 seconds when popped in.
Add 4 chicken thighs and fry for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown - the oil should only come just halfway up the sides of the chicken.
Place a wire rack onto a baking tray, then place the browned chicken on the wire rack. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove from the oven and allow to rest for about 15-20 minutes. The smell will be really tempting, but try to resist because they’ll burn your mouth if you eat them straight away!!
