“Simple Fried Chicken Legs”

Celebrate Black History Month with Fried Chicken noting which has long been a staple in Southern households. Served at traditional Sunday dinners as was done in my house growing up never gets old. I have become creative at changing up ways to season my chicken producing unbelievable flavor with each juicy bite. Those thoughts bring me to my Simple Fried Chicken Legs. I love dark meat because it stays tender and juicy no matter the method of cooking. Most often I fry chicken thighs when I want fried chicken like my Mom always did. There would be a fight at the dinner table over who got the dark meat or white meat. When I was growing up a Mom taught me how to cut up a whole chicken because chicken pieces were not sold. That all changed as grocery stores started selling various chicken pieces in packages of your favorites. So no more cutting up a whole chicken unless you want to.

Simple Fried Chicken Legs

My Simple Fried Chicken Legs are just that. Simple, easy, and full of flavor. The seasoning I use is Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Poultry Magic Seasoning Blend. A wonderful blend of herbs and spices my sister turned me on to years ago when we spent a day cooking family dinner. We told Mom we got dinner so sit back and relax. Fried chicken was a meal we would get so excited about after attending church on Sunday. Mom would whip up her fabulous mashed potatoes and green beans. As a result, this is still a favorite meal in my household while not as often as I had growing up. Also feel free to use chicken breast or wings instead of legs or thighs. Cook time will vary when frying white meat instead of dark.

Simple Fried Chicken Legs

So to prepare my fried chicken, season chicken generously with poultry magic, placing pieces in a Ziploc bag for at least hour. Chicken can marinate overnight as well. Just bring chicken to room temperature before coating in flour. Letting your meat come to room temperature before cooking keeps oil from splattering and promotes even cooking. Now, coat chicken in flour and fry chicken in heated oil for 12 to 15 minutes based on size of chicken legs. Frying oil should be at 350 to 375 degrees before frying as the temperature drops about 25 degrees while cooking. Wait until you taste my Simple Fried Chicken Legs with the crispy golden brown exterior and tender juicy interior. Poultry Magic gives chicken a vibrant flavor with warm spiciness. Not hot but a perfect blend and depth of flavor to fried chicken.

Simple Fried Chicken Legs

Poultry Magic can be used on all poultry and not just frying. Try baking, broiling and grilling your poultry when using Poultry Magic. I do recommend once your chicken is sprinkled with this seasoning blend let chicken sit for at least one hour. The seasoning blend penetrates the meat the longer it sits so the longer the better. You’ll love this seasoning blend and you know I’m all about things that taste good. Give Poultry Magic and my Simple Fried Chicken Legs recipe a try. Your family will thank you for this classic Southern homemade meal.

Simple Fried Chicken Legs

Simple Fried Chicken Legs

10 fresh chicken legs, trimmed

Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Poultry Magic Seasoning Blend

3/4 cup All-purpose flour

Vegetable oil

Sprinkle chicken legs generously with Poultry Magic. Place chicken in a gallon Ziploc bag and refrigerate at least one hour to overnight.

Remove chicken from refrigerator and let come to room temperature about 30 minutes.

Heat oil in deep fryer or Dutch oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in another Ziploc bag and add in flour. Close bag and shake until all chicken legs are thoroughly coated.

Once oil is heated, shake extra flour from chicken and fry for 12 to 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.