For me, a clip of Cardi B effortlessly munching on some leftover fried chicken with honey and hot sauce caught my attention while I was mindlessly scrolling online.
At first glance, it seemed pretty normal. But then she reached for a bottle of hot sauce and a jar of honey, slathering them onto her chicken. Although she insists she’s not expecting, that unique combination made me feel like I was the one with cravings! I was totally intrigued, and I knew I had to give it a shot.
This meal celebrates simplicity and really shines with the chicken itself. I’ve learned that remarkable fried chicken doesn’t require an exhaustive list of spices. Sometimes, keeping it minimal is the way to go. All you truly need are a few key ingredients to create that perfectly crispy, juicy dish.
The Base: Simple Fried Chicken
This is my tried-and-true recipe, and it only calls for five basic ingredients: chicken, salt, pepper, flour, and oil. Seriously, that’s all you need. I’ve experimented with adding various spices in the past, but I usually end up wishing I hadn’t. The straightforward seasoning of salt and pepper allows the chicken’s natural flavors to shine.
Ingredients:
– 1 whole cut-up fryer chicken
– 1 heaping tablespoon of ground black pepper
– 3 teaspoons of salt
– 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vegetable oil
To begin, season the chicken by sprinkling salt and pepper generously on both sides of each piece. Don’t hold back! Next, coat each seasoned piece thoroughly in flour, ensuring every bit is covered, then set them aside.
For frying, pour canola oil into a large skillet until it’s about half an inch deep. Heat the skillet over medium heat, and when a pinch of flour sizzles in the oil, you know it’s ready. Carefully add the chicken pieces, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Each piece deserves room to cook evenly. Use a fork to turn the chicken often, poking the edges instead of the middle to keep those juices locked in. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken turns a rich golden color and is fully cooked inside. Once done, move the chicken to a cooking rack to drain.
The Cardi B Sauce: Sweet Heat
Now for the best part! You could enjoy this chicken on its own. It’s truly delicious, but why not elevate it with that hot honey twist? For the sauce, you just need three ingredients: butter, hot sauce, and honey. I can’t stress enough how important it is to choose a spicy hot sauce for that extra flavor kick.
Melt the butter in a pan, then mix in the hot sauce and honey, letting it simmer while you whisk it until it’s nice and smooth. You can either drizzle the sauce over the chicken or, my favorite method, dip each piece into the sauce for an even coating. You can even set aside some extra sauce in a small bowl for dipping!
Once you’ve coated every piece with the sauce, it’s time to serve and enjoy. This is definitely one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over.
Trust me, you’ve got to give it a try!
