Best Southern Fried Chicken

Ingredients
16 chicken drumsticks (or a combination of drumsticks and thighs)

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce

2 teaspoons salt

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2 tablespoons black pepper (divided)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Vegetable oil (for frying, about 3 cups)
Directions
Step 1: Heat the warming drawer or oven to 200 F.

Step 2: Pat the chicken with paper towels to dry.

Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, salt, and 1 tablespoon of black pepper. Add the chicken legs to the mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate with the marinade for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours).

Step 4: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and let any excess buttermilk drip off.

Step 5: Combine the flour, additional 1 tablespoon black pepper, and the cayenne. Shake the chicken legs in the seasoned flour and place on a rack while waiting for the oil to heat.