How To Make Fried Chicken

There are a few different methods for making fried chicken but, regardless of your personal preference, the basics are always the same. Follow these steps and you'll have perfect fried chicken every time.

Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with a clean paper towel. Then, put flour, salt, and pepper into one bowl and a mixture of lightly-beaten eggs and milk in another. Take your dried chicken pieces and cover them in the seasoned flour, shaking of any excess. After the raw chicken is coated in flour, dip it into the egg and milk mixture before giving it a second coating of the seasoned flour.

The next step for making perfect fried chicken is to cook the breaded chicken in hot oil, a few pieces at a time. It's important that you don't crowd the fryer (or pot); if you do, the temperature of the oil will drop and your chicken won't be crispy. Once the fried chicken is fully cooked, drain it on a metal cooling rack set over a baking pan.

Click here for our best fried chicken recipes.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.