It doesn’t get any finer than Southern fried chicken. Whether it’s a recipe Mama made growing up or one that was passed along by a friend, the best fried chicken recipes are those shared from one Southerner to another. That’s how the secrets get baked, well fried, in.Now our Test Kitchen is here to pass along what we think is simply the easiest fried chicken recipe around. No deep fryer or buttermilk required. This no-fuss recipe is a hurried cook’s dream, but the results still stand above the rest. Use a cast iron pan instead of a normal skillet to retain heat and cook the chicken more evenly. Plus, this Southern staple can also be made using a “pick of the chick” package of a cut-up whole chicken to save time. Just be sure to buy one that’s 3 to 4 pounds.