Fried Chicken Thighs & Cheesy Grits with Green Onions

By missy55

Ingredients

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce, preferably Frank's RedHot, plus more for passing at the table
• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or hot paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup medium to coarsely ground yellow corn grits or cornmeal
• A little freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 About 2 tsp. honey, plus more for passing at the table
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 bunch scallions, whites and greens, finely chopped

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from rachaelraymag.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees . Place a metal rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and 1 tbsp. hot sauce. Add the chicken and turn to coat; let soak.

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 inches of oil over medium until it reaches 360 degrees (or use an electric tabletop fryer according to manufacturer's instructions).

In another large bowl, combine the flour and spices; season with salt and pepper.

Working in 2 batches, lift the chicken, 1 piece at a time, from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, then dredge in the flour, turning to coat. Fry, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet; keep warm in the oven.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat the stock over medium. In a bowl, season the grits with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup water, then add to the pan with the hot stock. Cook, stirring often, until the grits are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the butter and 2 tsp. honey, then the cheese and scallions.

Divide the grits among 4 shallow bowls; top with the fried chicken. Pass hot sauce and honey at the table.