This sounds so simple but…I have watched my Mother cook this chicken for years, then tried to prepare it exactly the same way and it took a while for it to turn out even close to as good as hers. Maybe I was just too immature a cook or maybe it’s a trick, I don’t know. I’ve gotten it down pretty well now but I cheat a little…it’s easier if you cut the chicken up into 2 inch cubes, the larger pieces with bone in are harder to regulate the temperature of the oil, to me anyway.
1 Pound of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, 2 inch cubes
Canola Oil, enough for 1/2 inch in a large iron skillet
1 Egg, beaten
2 Tablespoons of Salt
1/2 Cup of all purpose Flour, or enough to coat chicken
Place chicken in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and stir to distribute evenly. Preheat iron skillet and oil on medium to medium high heat. Add the egg to the chicken and stir to coat. Add the flour to the chicken and stir to coat. The chicken should be completely covered in the batter. Test the oil by dropping a tiny bit of the batter in, it should bubble but not burn up instantly. - grin -
When the oil is the right temperature add the chicken, one piece at a time, starting from the outside working your way to the center of the pan. With pieces this small, depending on how fast you work, the first pieces you put in should be about ready to turn. Turn chicken when there is a golden brown crust, about 2 minutes per side and then remove to a paper towel lined plate. Immediately sprinkle with a little more salt.
For a spicier chicken you can add a little Cayenne Pepper to the salt at the very beginning.
If you want gravy, and how could you not want gravy, pour off all but 2 – 3 tablespoons of the oil. Sprinkle 2 – 3 tablespoons of flour into the oil that is still over medium heat and stir for 1 minute. Add hot water while stirring constantly until gravy is the consistency you like. Salt and Pepper to taste. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Mom always served rice with her fried chicken and we doused the rice with this gravy. To this day, my sister Beth, cries in envy if she finds out Mom is making fried chicken, rice and gravy and she’s not there.