Sweet Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe Is Brined In a Southern Staple by 30Seconds Food

Crispy fried chicken is about as southern as sweet tea. So this sweet tea brined crispy fried chicken recipe is a match made in southern heaven. Bone-in chicken soaks up all the sweetness of the brewed tea, imparting flavor all the way to the bone.

To make this easy fried chicken recipe you will need to grab the following ingredients from your fridge and pantry: loose tea or tea bags for brewing the tea, sugar for sweetening the tea (to your taste), kosher salt, bone-in chicken pieces, flour, black pepper, buttermilk, hot sauce and vegetable oil, for frying up the chicken.

The chicken is first brined for at least eight hours before going through a dredging station and being fried in a skillet. The golden chicken finishes cooking in the oven. So easy! While the chicken bakes, make your side dishes and dinner is ready to roll.

Serve this southern chicken with your favorite side dishes. We like a fresh vegetable and mashed potatoes. Don't forget a plate of fresh watermelon or juicy peaches and a glass of sweet iced tea.

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes plus time to marinate
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes plus time to marinate
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Brine

• 8 cups brewed sweet tea
• 1/3 cup kosher salt

Chicken

• 3 - 4 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
• 1 - 2 tablespoons kosher salt (or to taste)
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups sweet tea
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (or to taste)
• 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Recipe Notes

• Do not overcrowd the pan with frying the chicken in the skillet. Cook it in batches, if needed.

• To remove any excess oil, set the cooked through on papers towels before serving.

• For some spice, add ground cayenne pepper into the flour mixture.

• Store any leftover chicken covered in the fridge for up to four days.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Pour the 8 cups of sweet tea into a large bowl or airtight container. Add the salt and stir to dissolve. Put the chicken into the brine, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. 
2. When ready to cook, combine the flour, black pepper and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk, sweet tea and hot sauce. 
3. Heat a large skillet (cast iron is preferred) over medium-high heat. Heat the vegetable oil until it reaches 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Dip the chicken in the sweet tea-buttermilk mixture and then dredge in the flour mixture. Put into the hot oil and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Put the chicken onto a baking sheet. (You may have to do the chicken in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan.)
5. Bake the chicken until cooked through (165 degrees F internal temperature), about 15 to 20 minutes.
   
    

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by HappyForks. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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