Double-Fried Chicken With Lemons and Jalapenos Recipe

Updated May 22, 2020

Twice-fried chicken with crisp, paper-thin lemons and jalapenos have summer picnic potential. . Jennifer Olvera

Note: Using a deep-fryer makes temperature management easy, but a large Dutch oven, outfitted with a thermometer, works just fine. Just be sure to keep the temperature at a steady 325°F.

Recipe Details

Double-Fried Chicken With Lemons and Jalapenos Recipe

Active 40 mins

Total 12 hrs

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

One whole large chicken cut into 8 pieces (about 4 to 5 pounds)
4 cups buttermilk
3 1/2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, divided use
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 gallon peanut oil
13.5 ounce canister (about 3 cups) Wondra
1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 lemon, very thinly sliced and seeds removed
2 jalapenos, sliced into 1/2” coins
Kosher salt

Directions

Place chicken pieces, buttermilk, 1 1/2 tablespoons Old Bay, Tabasco and Worcestershire in a resealable bag. Seal tightly and shake to combine. Refrigerate at least eight hours and up to 12 hours.
Preheat oil to 325°F in a wok, deep-fryer, or Dutch oven. In a large bowl, combine Wondra, remaining 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, pepper and paprika.
When oil comes to temperature, remove one thigh at a time, using tongs. Shake off excess liquid from marinade and dredge in flour on all sides. Shake off extra flour and dredge again, gently dropping pieces into hot oil one at a time. As the oil returns to temperature, repeat the dredging process with drumsticks. Now, add drumsticks to the fryer, too, and cook all four pieces for eight minutes, until nearly cooked through. Remove thighs and drumsticks and drain on paper towels. Repeat process with breasts, cooking for 7 minutes, and wings, cooking for 6 minutes.
While the chicken rests, toss lemons and jalapenos in the remaining flour mixture. Add them to oil and quickly fry until golden and crisp (2 to 3 minutes). Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
When oil reaches 325°F again, return all chicken to fryer. Fry until it becomes a perfect, golden brown, another 2 to 4 minutes.
Remove chicken from oil, drain on papers towels and allow to cool slightly. Serve family-style, topping with fried lemons, fried jalapenos and a sprinkle of salt.