Welcome back to our Summer Favorites series!

Last week, we found two delicious ways to use up extra watermelon with fresh Watermelon Salsa and a refreshing Watermelon Slush. This week, we're moving on to the main course...

Fried Chicken!

If you ask my husband, John, what he'd like for dinner, there's a pretty good chance he'll say fried chicken. Honestly, I think if we had it once a week—or more—he'd be perfectly happy!

Now, I'll admit, my favorite way to make fried chicken is the old-fashioned way.

Give me a whole chicken, cut into eight pieces, double battered (because let's be honest...the crispy crust is the best part!), fried until it's golden brown, and served with homemade cream gravy and all the fixin's. That's Southern comfort food at its finest.

But let's be real...

Life gets busy.

Some days I have the time to make everything from scratch. Other days, I just need to get dinner on the table.

The good news is there isn't one "right" way to make fried chicken.

Sometimes we'll stop by Golden Chick or Chicken Express, pick up the chicken, and make our favorite sides at home. It's still a home-cooked meal in my book because we're together around the table.

Other times, I make what I call my "semi-homemade" version.

I buy boneless chicken breasts, pound them until they're an even thickness, double bread them, and pan fry them in a little oil. Once they're golden brown on both sides, I move them to a wire rack on a baking sheet and finish them in the oven. The rack lets the extra grease drip away while the chicken stays crispy.

Now let's talk about the gravy...

If I have the time, I'll make homemade cream gravy from scratch.

But when it's just the two of us, I often make what I call my "semi-homemade" gravy. I still start with those flavorful pan drippings and make a quick roux with a little flour. Then I mix up a packet of Pioneer Cream Gravy Mix with water and whisk it into the pan.

It still gets that homemade flavor from the drippings, but it's quicker and creates a lot fewer dishes.

And if I'm being completely honest...

I'm a messy cook.

By the time dinner is ready, my kitchen usually looks like a small tornado came through! So anytime I can save a few steps—and a little cleanup—I'm all for it.

Here's what I've learned over the years...

There is no wrong way to make fried chicken.

Whether you spend the afternoon making everything from scratch, make a quick version at home, or pick up dinner from your favorite chicken restaurant, what matters most isn't how the chicken got to the table.

It's who's sitting around the table with you.

Food has always been about bringing people together, sharing stories, laughing a little, and making memories.

The trick isn't making it the "right" way.

The trick is finding the way that works best for you and your family.

Coming Next Week...

We're wrapping up our Summer Favorites series with some of my family's favorite side dishes:

🥔 Creamy Mashed Potatoes

🍅 Fried Green Tomatoes

🌽 Easy Skillet Cornbread

By the end of next week, you'll have a complete summer meal that's perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Until then... don't forget the gravy!