Claritha's Fried Chicken Wings

Submitted by Claire de Luna

"OH MY! All I can say is, Claritha knows her fried chicken! I had heard about soaking poultry in a brine solution and during an internet search, came across this recipe. A true southern style recipe, we think this is absolutely the best fried chicken we have ever eaten. See you if don't agree!"

 

• Ready In: 72hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 3 lbs chicken wings (16 to 18)
• 1 cup coarse salt, plus
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cracked black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 cups vegetable shortening
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter

directions

1. Cut off chicken wing tips, and reserve them for another use (stock).
2. Arrange wings in one layer in a 9x13 inch glass baking dish and sprinkle them evenly with 1/2 cup coarse salt.
3. Turn wings over and sprinkle with l/2 cup more salt.
4. Chill wings for 2 hours.
5. Rinse wings in a colander under cold running water and drain.
6. (An alternative to this is to soak chicken wings overnight in a brine solution, using one cup salt and enough water to cover wings.) Arrange wings in one layer in a baking dish and thinly slice onions.
7. Arrange onions over wings and pour buttermilk over onions.
8. Chill wings, covered, at least 12 hours and/or up to one day.
9. Discard onions and drain wings in a colander.
10. Tear off an 18 inch sheet of wax paper and set aside.
11. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together flour, peppercorns, cayenne, and remaining 2 tablespoons salt.
12. Working with no more than 2 wings at a time, dredge wings evenly in flour mixture and shake off the excess.
13. Arrange wings with the flat sides up, a few inches apart on wax paper and let stand 15 minutes.
14. Get out a rack, brown paper bag, or paper towels, and set on a baking pan.
15. In a large fish fryer set over two burners (or two heavy skillets), melt 2 cups shortening and 1/2 cup butter over high heat, just until butter begins to turn golden.
16. Add the wings, flat sides down, and reduce heat to moderately high.
17. Cook wings, covered, until deep golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
18. Turn wings and cook, uncovered, until deep golden, about 8 minutes.
19. With tongs, transfer wings to a rack set over pan, to drain.

Reviews

[Vina7737]

Oh, my dear fat fanny, but these were good!!! I received a phone call that long-lost friends were in town and going to be stopping by in four hours--I had an extremely messy house, no munchy foods other than a 3lb. bag of frozen wings, and no time to hit the grocery store. I opened the bag of frozen wings, poured in one cup of salt and enough water to cover and let sit while I started cleaning. An hour later, I drained and rinsed the wings, topped with one chopped onion, added enough reconstituted dried buttermilk powder to cover, and let sit one more hour. I then drained and proceeded with the recipe as written. I have never eaten such delicious wings, and my friends just ate, moaned, wiped their mouths, and ate some more. I can't wait to see how good these are made to recipe--they've been starring in my dreams!!

 

[TheTentmaker]

I prepared these wings for a Men's Backyard Bonfire that we have every several months. Although it took several days to prepare (I soaked them in brine for 24 and buttermilk for another 24), they were out of this world! We are making them again next week. Break out the defibrillator!

 

[Donna]

Stand back!! these wings are ALL mine! This chicken is amazingly delicious, only thing i did different was added way more cayenne cuz we like spicy! SOOOOOOOO good! Thanks Claire!

 

[ImKerri]

It's true, these are AWESOME chicken wings!

 

[foodlover1]

These turned out really yummy! My one mistake was that they were really salty!! but that was my fault, as i musn't have rinsed the salt brine off very well. the meat was so tender though, and the crust was really crunchy and yummy. I made these for my six year old son, who won't eat anything but cereal and he asked me for wings, he ate 8!! Next time I make these and def will be a next time, I will remember to rinse, rinse, rinse, also I only added a pinch of salt to the flour. My first attempt at frying chicken, and it was soo easy. thank you for a yummy and delicious recipe. Foodlover1