Description
Southern Fried Chicken is a classic comfort food with crispy, golden skin and juicy, tender meat. This easy recipe uses a flavorful buttermilk marinade and seasoned flour coating for a delicious crunch in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a special occasion, this homemade fried chicken will become a go-to recipe. Serve with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits for the full Southern experience!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, add the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Pour in the buttermilk to fully cover the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best results.
- Prepare the Seasoned Flour: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing to ensure a thick coating. For extra crunch, dip back into the buttermilk and then the flour again.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in batches, cooking each piece for 12-15 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried chicken and place it on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Double-dip the chicken in buttermilk and flour for an extra crispy coating.
- Maintain the oil temperature around 350°F to keep the chicken from getting greasy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep it crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Southern Fried Chicken, crispy fried chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, classic Southern chicken recipe