Willie Mae’s Fried Chicken Recipe

The divinely fried chicken is almost like a staple to chicken lovers. As of now, the cafes, restaurants are at a movement of rivalry to pull in foodies by serving the best side dishes, snacks, or appetizers.

All the food darlings incline toward the combination of firm, crunchy, delicate, and succulent sauce too in their snacks platter. There are bunches of approaches to planning mouth-watering fried chicken at eateries, restaurants, and homes also.

Yet, perhaps the most ideal approach to set up a scrumptious, appetizing fried chicken nibble platter is to follow the secret formula of Willie Mae’s. So today, I am with spicy-battered Willie Mae’s fried chicken recipe.

Willie Mae’s Chicken Recipe:

Can you even imagine! You are getting the written recipe of the most famous fried chicken of Willie Mae from willie’s chicken shack menu. I’m not saying anything. Just have a look on the recipe.

Ingredients we Need: 

This special fried chicken needs a good number of ingredients. I have categorized them into few points making it easier for you. 

For the brine:

• 5 cups of Coca-Cola
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 10 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced into bits
• 4 teaspoons of mild hot sauce, I have used Crystal Hot Sauce
• 8 to 12 chicken thighs, about 2 lbs.

For the seasoned flour:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour or self-rising flour
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of smoked Spanish paprika
• 1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

For the frying:

• 3 cups of peanut oil or olive oil
• 1 cup of lard, optional 

For serving:

• Nashville hot sauce

Methods for Preparing willie’s Chicken Step by Step: 

Preparing the brine: 

Step 1:

Take a large metal bowl and add 5 cups of coca-cola, with kosher salt. 

Step 2:

Stir together until the salt is completely dissolved in cola. 

Step 3:

Add the fresh chopped thyme, garlic cloves, and hot sauce. Give a good stir. The brine is ready.

Step 4:

Now, add the chicken thighs. Massage them using hands finely. Cover the metal bowl with plastic, and place the bowl in the refrigerator for marinating for 3 hours to 5 hours.

Preparing the seasoned flour: 

Step 5:

Perfect seasoning is one of the critical parts of making perfect crust and crisp of a willie Mae’s fried chicken. To do that, firstly take a wide shallow plate or bowl. Sprinkle 3 cups of self-rising flour evenly on the plate.

Then add 1 tablespoonful of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons of smoked Spanish paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, and lastly the cayenne. 

Step 6:

Mix the dry ingredients with a whisk finely and set aside.

Step 7:

Now, you need to set the stove to 350 degrees F.

Step 8:

Take a heavy bottomed Dutch oven and heat it over medium heat, adding the peanut oil. Keep heating until the temperature reaches to 375 degrees on a thermometer.

Step 9:

Taking the chicken thighs out of the brain, mix in the seasoning mix. Shake to remove the excess mixture.

Step 10:

Carefully place the chicken thighs into the hot boiling peanut oil. Do not place more than 4 in one batch. The temperature of the oil will plunge while the cold chicken thighs go into the Dutch oven. 

Step 11:

Increase the heat on high, fry the chicken thighs not more than 5 minutes on each side. The aroma is definitely mouth-watering. 

Step 12:

When done, transfer to a wire rack in order to drain off the extra moisture or oil. 

Step 13:

While being poked the chicken thighs with a knife, the juices from the chicken should run clear. If not, then place the browned chicken thighs on a baking sheet and bake till the internal temperature of the chicken thighs goes 165 degrees F. Check that out with an instant-read meat thermometer. 

Serve the best-fried chicken you have tried in your life with Nashville hot sauce, as it goes perfect with willie mae’s fried chicken. 

Nashville Hot Sauce Recipe: 

You must be wondering why I have suggested Nashville hot sauce specifically with this fried chicken. Well from, willie mae’s scotch house recipe, I have found out mentioning Nashville hot sauce. Here is the written recipe for it. 

Ingredients we Need: 

• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of smoked Spanish paprika
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of honey, optional

Directions Step by Step: 

Step 1:

Take a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add 1/2 cup of margarine. Keeping the heat on low, melt the margarine. 

Step 2:

When the butter is completely melted, add cayenne pepper, brown sugar, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked Spanish paprika, garlic powder, and honey (If you like the flavor mild). 

Step 3:

Giving a good stir, cook on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce is smooth, and the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. 

Removing from heat, store in a sauce jar. 

Conclusion:

I highly recommend this fried chicken recipe for special occasions or weekend dinners. This is one of my most favorite fried chicken recipes, must try them out, and let us know about your experience.