Paula Deen's Fried Chicken

• 1
  pound chicken, washed and cut into 8 serving pieces
• 2
  cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2
  cup snipped fresh sage or parsley
• 1
  teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 3
  eggs
• 1/2
  cupmilk
• Peanut oil for frying
• Small fresh sage leaves
• Lemon wedges

Directions

1. Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, covered, 2 to 4 hours.

2. In bowl combine flour, the 12 cup herbs, and pepper; set aside. In shallow dish whisk together eggs and milk. Dip chicken in egg mixture then coat with flour mixture. Repeat.

3. In deep 12-inch skillet add oil to depth of 1 inch (oil will rise as chicken is added.) Heat oil to 350 degrees F over medium-high heat.

4. Gently lower four chicken pieces at a time into hot oil, (oil may spatter). Cook 14 to 16 minutes, turning after 8 minutes, or until brown and crisp and chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F for breasts, 180 degrees F for thighs). Oil temperature will drop when chicken is added; adjust heat as needed to maintain oil temperature at 325 degrees F. Drain chicken on wire rack or paper towels. Place in preheated 300 degree F oven while frying remaining chicken. To serve, top with sage leaves