Chicken Recipes for a Crowd; How to Make Fried Chicken like Kentucky Fried Chicken Does

Chicken recipes for a crowd is probably the one most popular group of recipes for most gatherings. No matter what the occasion whether it be a church social, carry in super, a family reunion or a neighborhood cook out, you will always find chicken dishes. None of these dishes are as popular as good fried chicken or as we call it “Southern fried chicken”. Could Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurants or KFC have become so famous if this was not the case.

I watched the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain explode from the 1950’s to now. I knew this chicken recipe was loved all over the United States. What surprised me was when I found out it is so loved in countries like Ecuador. Although the side items are different (beans & rice), the chicken is the same delicious recipe. The Ecuadorians love and recommend Kentucky Fried Chicken to us, their visitors; of course, we are happy to be able to get this chicken down there. My family in Ohio would not think of having a get together without a couple of buckets of KFC on hand. Fried chicken is loved everywhere!

What is so special about fried chicken? It is that golden crisp crust with lots of seasoning. Most chicken recipes for a crowd are in the form of casseroles, pots of chicken and dumplings or noodles or dishes like roasted chicken; these are usually less time consuming to prepare. When Colonel Saunders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken started out he could never have cooked his chicken recipes for a crowd; the millions that he eventually became able to feed. He had to switch his pan cooking method to a faster form of frying. He came up with pressure frying; this quick cooking method with his delicious recipe made him famous and very successful here in the US and around the world.

The time it takes to prepare and cook fried chicken rather than other chicken recipes for a crowd is what usually holds people back from serving it. With a little planning and preparation, it can be done and it is every bit worth the effort. Your guests will be so pleased with the results. Here is the best way that I love to cook fried chicken recipes for a crowd. Sometimes people serve chicken which is not thoroughly cooked; this way prevents that.

FRIED CHICKEN

• First I start out with whole hens; they are cheaper than parts and I like to cut my own to get the most meat. I cut the backs narrow so all the meat is included in the breast. NOTE: I save the backs and necks for broth. I fry the livers and gizzards; people love them.


• With each hen, I cut 2 wings, 2 legs, 2 thighs and I split the breast in 2 halves. I figure 4 people to 1 hen or 5 hens will feed 20 guests.


• Cut and prep chickens a day or two ahead. After cutting the chickens, place the chicken pieces in pots, cover with water and add 1 teaspoon salt for each half gallon of water. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer chicken until done and no pink showing.


• Remove cooked pieces of chicken to a colander to drain. Dip cooked chicken pieces in seasoned flour and place on trays. Cover chicken trays with plastic wrap until day of serving.


• Remove trays of chicken from refrigerator. Dip each piece in buttermilk and roll again in seasoned flour. (This can be done all at once and placed back on trays)


• Drop into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve while hot.

SEASONING MIX to season flour

• ¾ Cup brown sugar


• ¾ Cup dried parsley flakes


• ½ Cup garlic salt


• ½ Cup onion salt


• ¼ Cup rosemary


• ¼ Cup sage


• ¼ Cup oregano


• ¼ Cup ginger


• ¼ cup paprika


• 2 Tablespoons thyme


• 4 Teaspoons marjoram


• 4 Teaspoons black pepper

Combine all ingredients in blender; Blend until minced and well blended.

NOTE: Mix 2 tablespoons seasoning mix to each 1 cup flour.

Remember to fry all the chicken livers and gizzards. I usually purchase extra for large crowds and serve in separate bowls. I also use the backs and necks for broth. Boil them in a pot of water with chopped celery and chopped onions for about an hour. Taste the broth to see if it is seasoned well. If not, add enough chicken soup base until it is flavorful. This broth is good to cook noodles or dumplings in. This is what I do and serve them with the fried chicken.

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