Prince's-Style Hot Chicken

By ltrodrigu

The recipe for Prince's Hot Chicken is a closely guarded secret, but I have reverse-engineered the recipe, and this version is likely as close as you are going to get without traveling to Nashville. The essential element, a hot spice-and-lard paste, is something of an open secret in the hot chicken community. Still, there is a depth of flavor in the dish that suggests more than just a dollop of seasoning paste, and I believe that a generous amount of cayenne has been added to the flour and the buttermilk marinade. There is no question in my mind that MSG, a soul-food standby, is in there too. —J.O.

Ingredients

• For the Spice Mixture:
• 3 tablespoons cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon MSG
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• For the Chicken:
• 1 small chicken, legs, breasts and thighs separated
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 2 cups canola oil
• 4 tablespoons lard
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 8 slices Wonder bread
• 8 slices bread-and-butter pickles

Details

Adapted from online.wsj.com

Preparation

Step 1

To Make Spice Mixture:
In a small bowl, mix all ingredients.

To Make Chicken:
Put chicken, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon spice mixture in a large, sturdy Ziploc bag. Close bag, shake and refrigerate at least 12 hours.

Fill a large, shallow bowl with flour and 1 teaspoon spice mixture. Remove chicken from bag and dredge in flour, making sure to coat all sides. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat to 325 degrees, using a thermometer to monitor temperature. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, to skillet, turning frequently. Remove when chicken no longer bubbles, 12-15 minutes for thighs and legs, 15-18 minutes for breasts. Set aside on a wire rack and repeat with remaining chicken.

In a small saucepan, melt remaining lard. Stir in hot sauce and most of spice mixture, reserving 1 tablespoon spice mixture. Brush or pour spiced lard over fried chicken, coating both sides. For additional heat, sprinkle chicken with remaining spice mixture. To serve, top 2 slices Wonder bread with chicken and 2 pickle slices.