Fried Chicken, Red Beans & Rice

If God grants me longer life, I will see to it that no peasant in my kingdom will lack the means to have a chicken in the pot every Sunday.
~Henri IV of France

I don't usually fry chicken but I came across a recipe over the weekend that is based on Popeyes secret recipe. I'm not a huge fan of most fast foods, but I always liked Popeyes and have not lived near one for over five years. So I decided to give the recipe a try. Please note: the recipe calls for a cut up fryer but I used boneless skinless breasts.

The Recipes

Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 cups vegetable oil
2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp white pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp paprika
3 eggs
Preparation:
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat
Combine the flour, pepper, salt, and paprika in a shallow dish
Beat the eggs into another shallow dish
Check the oil temp by dropping a pinch of the flour mixture into it - if it sounds and looks like it's frying, the oil is ready
Dip the chicken breasts first into the eggs and then into the flour mixture (coat generously)
Place the chicken into the oil (CAREFUL!) and fry for 20-25 minutes until it is a deep golden brown
Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and place it on several sheets of paper towel

Red Beans & Rice
Ingredients:
Lrg can of Progresso Red Beans (19 oz)
1 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
4 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
3-4 cups cooked white rice
Preparation:
Heat the beans over medium heat in a pot
Add the pepper, paprika, butter, salt, and garlic powder
Use a fork to smoosh the beans against the side of the pot
Let beans come to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently
Remove from heat
Add rice to beans

Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter (soft)
1 tbsp sugar
1 egg
6 tbsp buttermilk
2 tbsp club soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups biscuit mix
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Mix all the ingredients
Knead until smooth
Turn out dough on floured surface
Pat into 1" thickness
Cut into biscuits (about 2" diameter)
Place on greased cookie sheet
Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown

Serve with cole slaw, salad, or cooked greens

Ratings
**** Chicken is very good, save some red beans and rice for lunch tomorrow
***1/2 had seconds on chicken and biscuits
*** YUM! Chicken!
(dinner guest) **** Everything tastes so good!

My notes: The chicken was really good. I will use this method for frying again. The red beans and rice was okay, but not as good as my regular recipe starting with dry beans. The buttermilk biscuits were ta-asty! I'm thinking of making them for Thanksgiving if they taste as good after being refrigerated for one or two days.