Crispy fried chicken

  (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

May 13, 2010
 

Crispy fried chicken

Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes plus chilling times

Servings: 2 to 4

2 Cornish game hens, or 1 small (3- to 4-pound) fryer chicken

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt

Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, divided

3/4 teaspoon cayenne powder, divided

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided

1 teaspoon onion powder, divided

Tabasco, or other vinegar-based hot sauce

2 cups buttermilk, more if needed

2 cups flour

1 cup cornstarch

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon table salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper