Lunch: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers

Recipe by Daniel Humm and James Kent, The NoMad These zesty chicken fingers get their flavor from a tangy buttermilk marinade and a breading spiked with smoked paprika. Be sure to plan ahead—these chicken pieces taste best when marinated for 24 hours bef

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 1/2 cups whole milk
1 small Spanish onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 medium jalapeños, sliced
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon Tabasco pepper sauce
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2x4-inch strips

Instructions

In a wide, shallow bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, onion, jalapeño, salt, and Tabasco. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 250 °F. Set cooling racks over rimmed baking sheets. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated garlic, onion powder, thyme, sage, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
In a large pot, pour in enough oil to come up to 2 inches. Set over medium-high heat until oil registers 350 °F on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches of 4 to 5 pieces, remove chicken from marinade, shaking to remove any vegetables and excess liquid, and dredge in the seasoned flour. Fry chicken pieces, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes total per batch. Transfer chicken to wire racks and warm in oven while frying remaining batches.
Serve chicken fingers with ranch dressing, if desired.