The “Cajun-Crunch” Fried Chicken
This version uses the “Double-Dredge” technique to ensure that the crust is thick enough to hold all that beautiful spice without falling off in the pan.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 20 mins (plus 4 hrs marinating) |
| Cook Time | 15–18 minutes per batch |
| Total Time | ~5 hours |
| Yield | 4–6 servings |
🍴 Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken pieces (Bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- 3 tbsp Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning (divided)
- 1 tbsp Hot sauce (like Crystal or Louisiana)
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Cornstarch (the secret to the “shatter” crunch)
- Peanut oil or Lard for frying
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Spicy Bath
- In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, 1 tbsp of Slap Ya Mama seasoning, and the hot sauce.
- Submerge the chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).
2. The Shaggy Flour
- In a large brown paper bag or a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, and the remaining 2 tbsp of Slap Ya Mama seasoning.
- The Pro-Tip: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade into the flour and mix with a fork. This creates little “clumps” in the flour that attach to the chicken and turn into extra-crispy bits during frying.
3. The Double-Dredge
- Take a piece of chicken from the buttermilk, let the excess drip off, and coat it thoroughly in the flour.
- Press the flour into the meat. Let the coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 15 minutes before frying. This “sets” the breading so it doesn’t slide off in the oil.
4. The Sizzle
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet to 175°C (350°F).
- Fry the chicken in batches (do not crowd the pan!). Fry for 8–10 minutes per side until the internal temperature hits 74°C (165°F).
- Drain on a wire rack—never on paper towels, or the bottom will get soggy!
The “Slap” Warning: If you are using the “Hot” (Yellow label) version of the seasoning instead of the “Original” (Red label), cut the seasoning amount in the flour by half unless you have a high tolerance for pain. That yellow label does not play around!