Fried Chicken

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I have never made a classic fried chicken before.  Not because I was afraid or didn't have a recipe - I guess the thought just never occurred to me.  Until I read The Help.  I had the urge to get some chicken and soak it in buttermilk, but didn't follow through on my urge until I watched the movie.  There is just something about fried chicken, isn't there?  Like comfort food at it's most basic, delicious form.  The sound of the oil cooking it and the delicious smell coming from the pan.  If you aren't drooling now - you will be when you make it!  This recipe isn't any specific recipe I found or had passed down to me.  I think you can really make it with as much or little seasoning you like - to me - more seasoning in the flour is better.  I didn't have chicken pieces so I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  I'm just going to give you the recipe how I made it - you can do with it what you want!

Fried Chicken

Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade: 1 pint buttermilk, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 1 1/2 cups crisco (for frying)

Instructions:
In a marinating container or gallon ziploc bag pour in marinade ingredients and squish the bag around to mix the ingredients.  Place chicken in bag and let sit in the fridge at least 4 hours but would be best if it sat all day.  It makes for really tender chicken. 
After the chicken has sat in the buttermilk mixture remove chicken and dispose of buttermilk mixture.  In another large sealable bowl, gallon ziploc bag, or even a good old fashioned brown paper bag, dump in the flour, garlic salt, paprika and black pepper.  Shake it around a bit to mix.  Put in your chicken and shake until all breasts are covered well.  I threw in all the chicken at once - if you prefer to do one at a time that is fine also.
In a large skillet over medium-low to medium heat melt the crisco to prepare for frying.  After it's all melted place all the chicken breasts in at once and let fry uncovered for about 10-15 minutes.  The top will start to golden up a bit more and you will be able to tell when to flip it.  Flip chicken to fry other side and this time I covered it and let fry for another 10-15 minutes.  Don't turn the heat up - you may even want to turn it down if anything.  You'll be more likely to burn the chicken if you turn it up.