NOTE: This recipe was modified on August 17, 2019 because I found a better method of cooking.
This recipe is the result of testing different variations to come up with the best recipe. There are lots of recipes on the interwebs claiming to approximate America’s favorite fried chicken spice and herb blend. It just took a little tweaking and ketofying to make it work for me.
My daughter, Emmy, and I did an experiment. We ultimately did three versions of the spice blend. The first one used black pepper instead of white pepper. The second batch (with the white pepper) needed more salt and sage. That batch was okay but we had to cut back the sage a little.
We also fried the chicken in three different fats: peanut oil, lard (pork fat), and tallow (beef fat). The tallow won hands down. The peanut-oil-fried chicken was flavorless, and the chicken cooked in lard was too porky, but the tallow-fried chicken was crispy and delicious.
I was lucky to find a local butcher that sells beef tallow. It also happens to be the healthiest fat you can fry in. I would recommend spending some time to find a reliable source.
For the full experience, make my Ketoky Fried Chicken Style Cole Slaw and Biscuits!
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 40 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 1 chicken in pieces
- 2 quarts beef tallow
- 2 eggs beaten
- 4 ounces pork rinds
- 3 ounces jack cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
Ingredients
Spice mix
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- Lightly salt chicken pieces and cook on rack in 200F degree oven for 2.5 hours.
- 30 minutes before chicken comes out of the oven, heat tallow in a fryer to 375 F.
- Combine pork rinds, cheese, and spices in a food processor until rinds are pulverized and powdered. Move to a plate or large bowl.
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs. Completely coat with pork rind mixture and place on a tray.
- Fry the chicken pieces in tallow for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Place the chicken on paper towels or a cooling rack, let it rest for 3 or 4 minutes, and then serve. You can keep it warm in a 200 F degree oven for a few hours before serving.