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Place 2 cups
flour in a shallow bowl. Whisk cornstarch, pepper, garlic powder, onion
powder, paprika, fennel, 1 Tbsp. or 1½ tsp. salt, and remaining 4 cups
flour in another shallow bowl to combine. Whisk eggs and buttermilk in a
third shallow bowl to combine.
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Remove chicken
pieces from brine and pat dry; discard brine. Working with 1 piece at a
time, dredge chicken in plain flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg
mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Transfer chicken to
bowl with seasoned flour and coat, packing all around chicken and firmly
into cracks and crevices; shake off excess. Place chicken on 2 wire
racks set inside rimmed baking sheets.
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Pour oil into a
large pot to come halfway up sides. Fit pot with thermometer and heat
oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°. Working in 4
batches, fry chicken, turning often with tongs and adjusting heat to
maintain temperature, until brown and an instant-read thermometer
inserted into the thickest part of chicken registers 165° for dark meat
and 160° for white meat, 10–14 minutes per batch. Transfer chicken to
clean wire racks and let rest 10 minutes.
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Serve fried chicken with barbecue sauce and pickles.
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Do Ahead:
Chicken can be dredged 2 hours ahead. Chill uncovered on rimmed baking
sheets. Chicken can be fried 2 hours ahead. Let sit uncovered at room
temperature. Reheat in a 250° oven if desired.