Fried Chicken with Gravy
Dinner"Golden, crispy, and deeply satisfying—joy made edible."
Depression families made do with simple fried chicken, golden and crispy, served with a rich, silky gravy made from the drippings. A celebration meal disguised in humble ingredients, this was saved for Sunday suppers and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (3-4 lbs)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- Lard or vegetable oil for frying (about 2 cups)
- For Gravy:
- 3 tbsp pan drippings
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in a shallow dish.
- Coat: Dredge each piece in flour mixture, coating all sides. Shake off excess.
- Heat Oil: Heat lard in a large cast-iron skillet to 350°F (or until shimmering).
- Fry: Carefully place chicken pieces in oil. Fry 12-15 minutes until golden brown, turning once.
- Drain: Transfer to paper towels. Reserve 3 tbsp drippings in pan.
- Make Gravy: Add flour to drippings, stir constantly for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Pour warm gravy over crispy fried chicken.