Fried Chicken with Gravy using the Vortex

I’ve had Grandma’s fried chicken with gravy. It was crazy good. Cooked in oil in a cast-iron skillet over a hot gas stove, it was the food of dreams. I’ve now had the pleasure of enjoying that same great crunchy, moist chicken with a delicious gravy, all cooked using my Vortex insert. Fried chicken with gravy using the Vortex is amazingly great chicken, and all without deep-frying.

Fried Chicken with Gravy using the Vortex

This Is Different

Fried chicken with gravy using the Vortex takes a bit more work than just making fried chicken on the grill. The gravy is the special addition, and to make it you need drippings from the chicken. Normally when I ‘fry’ chicken on my charcoal grill the drippings end up disappearing into the bottom of the grill. To make the gravy I had to ‘capture’ some of those drippings using disposable pans positioned underneath the chicken. I found some small aluminum pans at our grocery store that worked just fine, capturing all that dripping goodness.

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Also try my more traditional (but dang good) fried chicken on the Vortex. Nothing beats chicken on a Vortex. Nothing.

Fried Chicken with Gravy using the Vortex
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5 from 1 vote

Fried Chicken with Gravy using the Vortex

This right here is amazingly great chicken, and all without deep-frying.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword fried chicken, Vortex
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 227kcal

Ingredients

Gravy:

Instructions

For the chicken

  • Put the chicken pieces in a large bowl.
  • Add enough cold water to cover the chicken.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons of salt.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 4-12 hours.
  • Fire up your Vortex.
  • To make gravy place small disposable aluminum pans under a few of the pieces of chicken.
  • Let the coals get just ashed over.
  • Remove chicken from the brine. Do not rinse.
  • In a pie plate or shallow bowl, combine the flour and salt and pepper to taste. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour, coating completely.
  • Shake off any excess.
  • Transfer the chicken to the grill around the Vortex. Cover and cook 45 minutes, rotating the lid every 15 minutes. Check for near doneness (160 F for white meat, 170 F for dark meat) in several places before removing.
  • Lightly brush the chicken with oil and cook another 2-3 minutes to crisp the skin and finish cooking the chicken (165 F for white meat, 175 F for dark).
  • Remove to a plate or cooling rack.

For the gravy

  • Carefully remove the disposable pans containing the drippings.
  • Don't spill it onto the Vortex or it will flame up. You'll need 1/4 cup of the drippings.
  • Place drippings into a medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until browned, about 1 minute. 
  • Add milk and whisk until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve chicken with the gravy and devour.

Notes

I found that bone-on, skin-on chicken thighs make for the best fried chicken but that’s just me! Use your favorite cuts!

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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