Independence Day is just around the corner, and it’s very close to the day set aside as National Fried Chicken Day, July 6^th. Why not celebrate both this year by using your Big Green Egg as a key secret ingredient to make stellar fried chicken no one will be able to resist?

Start out by getting enough chicken to satisfy the number of folks in your family, or for a larger party if you’re going to entertain guests for the holiday. Trim any excess fat off the pieces—and, if the breasts are especially large, think about cutting them in half to ensure thorough cooking.

Next, set the indirect heat of your Big Green Egg to about 220 degrees. To give your chicken a terrific smoked flavor, drop a couple of pieces of apple wood and peach wood over your coals.

Prepare the batter for your chicken, using the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1½ tablespoons kosher salt
• 1-2 tablespoons ground pepper
• ½ tablespoon granulated garlic (not garlic powder)
• 1-2 tablespoons paprika

The salt, pepper, garlic and paprika can be adjusted based on your personal preference. Mix these five ingredients together and set aside. (The above should be a generous amount for at least one complete chicken.)

Next, take your trimmed pieces of chicken and season them with some kosher salt and ground pepper. Place the chicken in your Big Green Egg and smoke them for about 2-2½ hours. The pieces will heat to about 165 degrees internally, and will be cooked well enough to eat.

When you’ve removed your chicken from the Egg, get a large mixing bowl and whisk two eggs into four cups of buttermilk. Soak your chicken in the buttermilk for about 20 minutes.

Heat up a quart of cooking oil to about 400 degrees. You can do this in a deep pot (like a pasta pot) or use a deep fryer as well.

Take each piece of chicken from the buttermilk mixture and coat thoroughly in your batter mix. Place your pieces in the oil, frying till golden brown (about 5-10 minutes). Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon, placing them on paper towels covering a wire rack. (Great to place a cookie sheet under the rack to handle the oil drippings and make clean up easier.)

You will love this recipe! The trick of smoking the chicken in your Big Green Egg gives a depth of flavor, and will make your fried chicken a new favorite amongst your friends and family.

Best wishes for a Happy 4^th from Oregon Hot Tub!