Description
This Crispy and Juicy Southern Fried Chicken is golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor. Marinated in seasoned buttermilk and coated in a perfectly spiced flour mixture, each bite is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect for a family dinner, cookout, or weekend comfort meal!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or breasts)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Coating:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
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Prepare the Coating:
- In a large shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder.
- Remove each chicken piece from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
- Coat generously in the flour mixture, pressing it onto the chicken for an even crust.
-
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be about 2 inches deep.
- Carefully add the coated chicken to the hot oil, cooking in batches if necessary.
- Fry for 10–12 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve with classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, or mac and cheese.
Notes
- For maximum crispiness, let the coated chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before frying.
- Marinate overnight for extra tender and flavorful chicken.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the correct oil temperature for even frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding marinating)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of fried chicken
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Southern fried chicken, crispy fried chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, homemade fried chicken, comfort food recipes