Cajun and Creole Recipes
Louisiana Fried Chicken with Pepper Sauce
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken parts, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Pepper Sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/4 cups no-salt or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Chicken
- Place chicken in large, glass bowl or dish; pour buttermilk over it. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, celery salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, two at a time, turning to coat all sides thoroughly. Set chicken on a rack and let sit for 30 minutes.
Sauce
- In medium saucepan over medium heat, warm butter. Stir in onion and bell pepper. Stew peppers until soft, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in flour and cayenne. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Gradually stir in chicken broth. Bring sauce to simmer; reduce heat to low and let cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt; remove from heat and set aside until needed.
- In large, cast iron skillet add oil to fill 3/4 inch deep. Over medium-high heat, warm oil to 350 degrees F. using kitchen thermometer to test oil temperature. Carefully place chicken, skin-side-down in oil. Reduce heat to medium and cook chicken for 15 minutes until browned.
- Turn chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until internal temperature registers 180 degrees F on thermometer. Remove chicken and drain on paper towels.
- Cook remaining chicken in same manner until done.
- Before serving, reheat sauce and pass separately.
Nutrition
Per serving: 334 calories; 55g protein; 5g carbohydrate; 9g fat; 2.5g saturated fat
Attribution
Recipe and photo used with permission from:
National Chicken Council