Southern Fried Chicken

1 chicken, cut up
1 pound bacon
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 or 2 cups vegetable oil

A Regular Guys Recipe

Ok, this recipe is not politcally correct in these days of healthy eating.  But this is really the way to enjoy fried chicken.  So fix it this way -- with all of the fat and cholesterol -- it won't hurt you if you don't do it very often.

Mix the herbs and spices into the flour thoroughly.  Put the flour mix into a plastic bag.  Shake each piece of chicken in the bag until it is well coated.  Set the coated chicken pieces aside to fully dry before frying.

Fry the bacon over medium-high heat in a heavy 10-inch skillet (Regular Guys love to cook in cast iron.  This is one recipe where it really makes a difference.  If you don't have a cast iron skillet, go out and buy one -- they are not expensive!). When the bacon has been reduced to crisps, remove the solid pieces from the skillet and discard (or crumble them to use for topping on a salad).   Add enough vegetable oil to fill skillet about half way.  When oil is quite hot, add thighs and drumsticks, skin-side down.  Cook several minutes and then add the breasts and wings.  When one side is golden (about 5 minutes), turn over and brown other side.  Reduce heat to medium low, cover pan and cook 15 minutes.  Turn pieces, cover and cook 15 minutes longer.  Uncover for the last 10 minutes to make the crust crispy.