Batter Fried Chicken

Batter-Fried Chicken

Serves 4 to 6

Halve breasts crosswise and separate leg quarters into thighs and drumsticks.

BRINE
1	quart  cold water
1/4	cup  salt
1/4	cup  sugar
4	pounds  bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces  (see note)
BATTER
1	cup  all-purpose flour
1	cup  cornstarch
5	teaspoons  pepper
1	teaspoon  paprika
1/2	teaspoon  cayenne pepper
2	teaspoons  baking powder
1	teaspoon  salt
1 3/4	cups  cold water
3	quarts  peanut or vegetable oil

1. MAKE BRINE Whisk water, salt, and sugar in large bowl until sugar and salt dissolve. Add chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
2. MAKE BATTER Whisk flour, cornstarch, pepper, paprika, cayenne, baking powder, salt, and water in large bowl until smooth. Refrigerate batter while chicken is brining.
3. FRY CHICKEN Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Remove chicken from refrigerator, pour off brine, and pat dry with paper towels. Rewhisk batter. Transfer half of chicken to batter. One piece at a time, remove chicken from batter (allowing excess to drip back into bowl) and transfer to oil. Fry chicken, adjusting burner as necessary to maintain oil temperature between 300 and 325 degrees, until deep golden brown and white meat registers 160 degrees (175 degrees for dark meat), 12 to 15 minutes. Drain chicken on wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet. Bring oil back to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining chicken. Serve.