Fried chicken is always a good idea. And this recipe from Chef Erin Zircher from Cru Oyster Bar in Nantucket, MA, uses an interest blend of herbs and spices to create a flavor that’s both spicy and sweet. The chicken is great right out of the pan, at room temperature, and even cold from the fridge. Pair it with this healthier version of Potato Salad for a delicious meal for game day, picnics, or supper anytime.

Pin these recipes for Fried Chicken and Potato Salad so you don’t forget them.

Hungry for more? Make these Deep Fried Pecan Pies for dessert.

Spicy and Sweet Fried Chicken Recipe

Recipes courtesy Chef Erin Zircher from Cru Oyster Bar www.crunantucket.com

The salty, spiced and ever so slightly sweet flavors of this recipe always leave people coming back for one more piece.

Spiced Fried Chicken

Ingredients:
1 Full Chicken, cut into 8 pieces
2 Cups Buttermilk
2 TBS Baharat Spice Blend * see below
1 TBS Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup Sugar
3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder

Baharat Spice Blend
1 TBS Dried Mint
1 tsp Aleppo Pepper
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Coriander
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Method:
Stir the buttermilk with the spice blend, salt and sugar. Place the chicken in a plastic container and toss with the buttermilk brine. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours. Bring the chicken to room temperature before frying.

Combine the flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Generously toss each piece of chicken to coat well with the flour. Place on a sheet tray with a cooling rack.

As the chicken rests on the rack to develop a crust, begin to heat a large cast iron skillet with vegetable oil. Fill the skillet with an inch or two of oil. Be very careful not to put too much oil.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees and gently place the chicken into the oil. Being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the pieces 12 to 15 minutes
depending on size. Remove to the clean wire rack to rest as the rest of the chicken finishes cooking.

Potato Salad with Yogurt Dressing

The tangy and slightly smoky dressing is a perfect accompaniment to the Spiced Fried Chicken

3 Pounds Red Skinned Potatoes, scrubbed clean
4 Bay Leaves
1 Pound Green Beans (Haricots Vert), snipped
4 Hard Boiled Eggs, peeled and quartered
1 Bunch Flat Leaf Parsley, picked and washed
1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Yogurt Dressing
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt, 2% or full fat
1 TBS Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped

Method:
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Quickly cook the green beans until they are crisp-tender. Chill them under cool water and set them aside.
Cook potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling salted water with the bay leaves, until just tender – about 30 minutes. Drain potatoes well and then slice them into rounds. Transfer to a large bowl and add the haricots vert, hard boiled eggs, parsley and olive oil. Season with salt and toss very gently.

Arrange the potato salad on a platter and drizzle with the yogurt dressing and additional olive oil.

Hungry for more? Another option is this recipe for Greek Orzo Salad.