This recipe creates a beautifully crisp and flavorful Southern fried chicken, perfect for any occasion. The key to success is allowing the coated chicken to rest until the flour becomes paste-like, ensuring a crunchy exterior.

#### Ingredients:

- 1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces

- 1 cup buttermilk

- 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

#### Directions:

1. **Prepare Chicken**:

   - If preferred, remove the skin from the chicken pieces.

   - In a large plastic bag, add the flour. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. **Coat Chicken**:

   - Dip each chicken piece in buttermilk, ensuring it is well-coated.

   - Place a few pieces at a time into the bag with the seasoned flour. Seal the bag and shake to coat the chicken thoroughly.

   - Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. Let the chicken sit until the flour coating becomes paste-like. This step is crucial for a good crust.

3. **Fry Chicken**:

   - Fill a large skillet (cast iron works best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat the oil until very hot.

   - Carefully add as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold without overcrowding. Brown the chicken on both sides in the hot oil.

   - Once browned, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for about 30 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through without becoming too crispy at this stage.

   - After 30 minutes, remove the cover, increase the heat again, and fry the chicken until crispy and golden brown.

4. **Drain and Serve**:

   - Drain the fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil.

   - If you have more chicken to fry, keep the finished pieces in a slightly warm oven to stay hot while you cook the rest.

5. **Note on Nutritional Value**:

   - The nutritional value of the oil for frying is based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. This may vary depending on factors such as cook time, temperature, ingredient density, and the type of oil used.

### Tips:

- **Resting the Chicken**: Allowing the coated chicken to rest before frying is essential for achieving the perfect crispy crust.

- **Oil Temperature**: Ensure the oil is very hot before adding the chicken. This helps in forming a crispy crust.

- **Cook in Batches**: Do not overcrowd the skillet to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.

Enjoy this classic Southern fried chicken with your favorite sides for a truly comforting meal!