Fried chicken with pineapple hot sauce

Method

• step 1

  Quarter each chicken thigh, then tip into a large bowl. Season well with the salt, then pour over the buttermilk and give it all a good mix. Cover and chill overnight.

• step 2

  Combine the rice flour, cornflour, baking powder, paprika, garlic granules, dried oregano, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Drop in the brined chicken pieces, four at a time, tossing lightly to coat well. Gently shake off any excess, then arrange on a baking tray.

• step 3

  Heat the oil in a large, deep saucepan (ensuring it is no more than two-thirds full) to 170C or until a cube of bread dropped in browns within 30 seconds. Fry the chicken in small batches for 3 mins at a time until golden and cooked through. This will help keep the oil at the right temperature and won’t overcrowd the pan.

• step 4

  Remove the fried chicken pieces to a clean tea towel using tongs to drain off any excess oil, then transfer to a wire rack to ensure they stay crisp. Alternatively, put the fried chicken on a clean baking tray and keep warm and crisp in a low oven. When all the chicken pieces have been fried, drop the oregano leaves into the hot oil and fry until crisp, about 30 seconds- 1 min. Arrange the chicken on a serving platter, scatter over the fried oregano and serve with the pineapple sauce (see 'goes well with', below).