John Wayne Gacy's Last Meal
Southern Fried Chicken & Shrimp Feast
“The Killer Clown's final indulgence.”
The Case
John Wayne Gacy was executed at Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois in May 1994.
His final meal was widely reported: a bucket of fried chicken, a dozen fried shrimp, french fries and fresh strawberries. Gacy had once managed several fried chicken restaurants, a detail that gave the request an uncomfortable resonance.
The meal has since become one of the most frequently cited last meals in American criminal history.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 500ml buttermilk
- 12 large prawns, peeled and deveined
- 300g plain flour
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 large potatoes, cut into chips
- Vegetable oil, for deep frying
- Fresh strawberries, to serve
- Salt and black pepper
Method
- 01
Marinate the chicken in buttermilk with 1 tsp salt for at least 4 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
- 02
Combine the flour, cornflour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, 2 tsp salt and plenty of black pepper in a large bowl.
- 03
Heat oil in a deep pan to 165°C (330°F). Lift the chicken from the buttermilk, dredge heavily in the seasoned flour and press the coating on firmly.
- 04
Fry the chicken in batches for 12-14 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and cooked to 75°C (165°F) internally. Drain on a rack.
- 05
Dip the prawns in the leftover buttermilk, dredge in the flour and fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp and pink. Drain.
- 06
Fry the chips at 180°C (355°F) until golden, about 4-5 minutes. Season immediately with salt.
- 07
Serve everything together on a tray with fresh strawberries alongside.
Chef’s Note
Let the dredged chicken sit for 10 minutes before it hits the oil — the coating hydrates and clings far better.
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