Nashville Hot and Crispy Chicken Sandwiches

• 2 1/2 cups brine from jarred spicy dill pickles, plus sliced spicy dill pickles, for serving
• Eight 4- to 5-ounce boneless chicken thighs with skin, pounded 1/2 inch thick
• 1/4 cup schmaltz (rendered chicken fat; see Note), melted
• 1/2 cup gochugaru (Korean chile powder)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• Canola oil, for frying
• 8 slices of white sandwich bread

1. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the pickle brine and the chicken thighs.
2. Seal the bag and refrigerate the chicken for at least 8 hours or overnight.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the schmaltz with the gochugaru, sugar, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of the cayenne and 1 teaspoon of salt.
4. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and pat dry.
5. In a shallow bowl, whisk the flour with the white pepper, paprika, 1 tablespoon of salt and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cayenne.
6. Set a rack over a baking sheet.
7. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1/3 inch of oil until shimmering.
8. Dredge half of the chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
9. Fry the chicken thighs skin side down over moderate heat until well-browned and crisp, about 4 minutes.
10. Turn the chicken and cook until no trace of pink remains, about 4 minutes.
11. Transfer to the rack.
12. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
13. Generously brush the fried chicken thighs all over with the gochugaru paste.
14. Put 4 slices of bread on a work surface and arrange 2 chicken thighs on each.
15. Top the chicken with sliced pickles, close the sandwiches and serve.

dill pickles, chicken, gochugaru, sugar, garlic, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, flour, ground white pepper, sweet paprika, canola oil, white sandwich bread

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/nashville-hot-and-crispy-chicken-sandwiches (may not work)