Fried Chicken Recipe

Sometimes I've paid over $2 for some kind of chicken coating. You've seen homemade Shake N Bake before, but I think this is even better. I really liked it. However, this recipe is for frying in oil, not for baking in the oven. I haven't tried it for oven baking *yet.* But I suppose it would be good cooked in the oven too.

Even "Mr. Picky Eater" (our 6 year old son) liked this very much. So this is a winner.

2 tsp Garlic Powder (or to your taste)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/2 C seasoned bread crumbs (I used Italian seasoned bread crumbs) 
1 C all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (pounded thin)
1 C oil for frying (or as needed. I usually use Canola Oil for this, but Vegetable Oil is fine too. Many people say Peanut Oil is the best, but I haven't tried it at home)

In shallow dish, mix:

• garlic powder
• pepper
• salt
• paprika
• bread crumbs
• flour

In a separate dish, whisk the milk and egg together.

Heat oil to 350 degrees, dip the chicken into the milk and egg mixture, then into the dry. You can toss the chicken around in the dry mixture until it's coated, or you can use a gallon Ziploc-style bag.

Cook for approximately 5 minutes each side, or until juices run clear.

TIPS:

To make sure the oil is at the right temperature before you begin cooking, you can use a meat thermometer for that (without a meat thermometer, I sprinkle a drop of water carefully into the oil to make sure it "pops" and dissipates quickly. If it doesn't dissipate almost immediately, then your oil is not hot enough. Using oil that's not hot enough will give you greasy chicken.

Use a meat thermometer and make sure your chicken gets to 165 degrees.

To save money, instead of using a ziploc-style bag, when you use up a loaf of bread, shake out and fold up the plastic bread bag and keep it in your kitchen cabinet for this use. It works great for tossing the chicken pieces into the coating!

Use tongs to handle the chicken in the pan. Tongs give you a lot better control and keeps the chicken looking nice. You can find these often at the dollar store, so there's no reason not to get them if you don't have some yet. They are very handy for serving salads too.

While the chicken's cooking, prepare a plate with a couple paper towels on it. When the chicken is done, hold it over the pan to allow more oil to leave the chicken. Place chicken on the paper towels and the towels will absorb even more of the grease.