Once you get the first batch into the skillet, cover it with a good fitting lid and start the timing process. I found that the lid from my enamel canning pot works great as a lid for my skillet. And, like the skillet, it gets very hot, so always be careful when removing any lid. When the lid is on, start the first 8 minute time segment. The chicken will cook 8 minutes with the lid ON. It's also important to &quot;listen&quot; to the chicken as it's frying. You can hear if it sounds like its bubbling really fast, and it will at first. Learning to recognize how it &quot;talks&quot; to you will help you fry better chicken.