Tender Fried Chicken

Sometimes people try to figure out what constitutes American food. We have favorite foods from other countries like Italian, French, Chinese, and Japanese, but what could we classify as American? Because America is such a melting pot of culture, it's sometimes hard to come up with food that's uniquely American, but I think that fried chicken could fall under that category. Fried chicken is easy to find at stores or fast-food chains, but sometimes you just want that homemade taste. How do you get that? You make the fried chicken yourself and here are two variations on how you do it!

Fried Chicken

• 6 cups Crisco cooking oil
• 1 egg; beaten
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon MSG (optional)
• 2 frying chickens; with skin, cut into 6 pieces

Bring oil in pressure cooker over medium heat to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, combine the egg and milk. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg and milk until fully moistened, then roll in the flour mixture until completely coated. In groups of four or five, drop the covered chicken pieces into the oil and lock the lid in place.

When steam begins shooting through the pressure release, set the timer for ten minutes. After ten minutes, release the pressure according to manufacturer's instructions and remove the chicken to paper towels or a metal rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Garlic Fried Chicken

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, pounded thin
• 1 cup oil for frying, or as needed

In a shallow dish, mix together the garlic powder, pepper, salt, paprika, breadcrumbs and flour. In a separate dish, whisk together the milk and egg.

Heat the oil in an electric skillet set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg and milk, then roll them in the dry ingredients until evenly coated.

Fry the chicken in the hot oil for about five minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from the oil with a slotted spatula and serve.

So now that you have a couple recipes to get you started on making your own tender fried chicken, you'll be well on your way to American culinary success! Making fried chicken may not be entirely simple, but it's worth it for the home-style feeling you're going for—good luck with your fried chicken!