Fried Chicken (Wings)

Directions

1. Give the chicken at least 6 hours to marinade before cooking. It makes all the difference. Overnight is even better. Using a heavy duty knife split the wings at the joint. This is going to require a little force. Don't be scared. You can also remove the tip if preferred. Toss the wings into a plastic container. Cover with buttermilk, hot sauce and garlic. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for as long as you can).
2. Combine flour, cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow baking dish.
3. our the oil into a large heavy-bottomed pot, so it's about 2 inches deep. Bring the oil up to 375 degrees. If you don't have a deep frying thermometer, test the oil with a stick of fresh herbs. Dip the stick of a fresh herb into the oil, and if it sizzles, you're good. I used this method and it worked like a charm. Just be careful that it's not too hot or cool. Use a test wing to make sure.
4. Working in batches of about 7, coat the wings in the flour mixture. Transfer back to the buttermilk, then coat in flour again. You're giving the wings an extra delicious crust. Drop the wings into the oil, and fry until golden brown, for 8-10 minutes. Turn over once or twice (with tongs!) to ensure they cook evenly. Remove to a paper towel lined plate with a slotted spoon, and let cool slightly before digging in.
5. After removing the wings, let the oil heat back up before adding another batch.