what do you fry chicken in
Pan-Fried Chicken. The two main keys to making perfect fried chicken are the temperature of the oil and the actual step of frying. Choose oils with a high smoke point: vegetable shortening, lard, and peanut oil are all good choices. 1  To get truly golden-brown and crispy chicken, use a cast iron skillet. 2  You canât beat cast iron for even heat distribution and reliable frying.