Smothered Southern Fried Chicken

Ingredients

FRIED CHICKEN

• 2 1/2-3 lbs fryer (cut up)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• cooking oil (at least 6-8 tablespoons for frying)

GRAVY

• 8 tablespoons flour
• 8 tablespoons oil, the oil the chicken was fried in
• 6-8 cups water (or a little more)
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Wash the chicken pieces and pat it dry with paper towel.

2. 2

   Heat the oil to 365 degrees for frying the chicken. Salt and pepper the chicken.

3. 3

   Mix the flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder together.

4. 4

   When the oil is hot, roll the chicken pieces in the flour and place into the skillet. Cook 3 to 4 pieces at a time on both sides until golden brown and almost done. Drain the chicken on paper towel and place into a baking dish and set aside until the rest of the chicken is done.

5. 5

   To prepare the gravy, on medium heat, preferably in the same skillet, & if necessary, spoon out some of the oil, leaving 8 tablespoons of the oil in the skillet. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 to 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the water and stir until boiling. Salt and pepper to taste. The gravy will be kind of thin, but it will thicken.

7. 7

   Return the chicken to the skillet of gravy. Cover with a splatter screen and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes until gravy is thickened and the chicken is smothered and fork tender.