Looking for the ultimate comfort food? This Crispy Fried Chicken recipe brings classic Southern flavors right to your kitchen. Imagine biting into that golden crust, followed by tender, juicy meat—it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re cooking for a lazy Sunday dinner or prepping for a backyard picnic, this dish is a total hit. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make with just a few everyday ingredients. Get ready to wow yourself and your loved ones!
Table of content
- About The Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make the Recipe(Step-by-Step)
- Expert Tips for Success
- Variations and Customizations
- Nutritional Information
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Recipe Card
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Comments & Reviews
- Social Sharing Options
About The Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe
Crispy Fried Chicken is the kind of recipe that instantly makes you feel at home. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and honestly, hard to resist. Remember those lazy summer days when the smell of fried chicken coming from the kitchen made your mouth water? This recipe gives you all that, plus the satisfaction of making it all on your own! The roots of this dish can be traced back to Southern cooking, where fried chicken is practically an art form. It’s all about achieving the perfect balance of a crunchy, golden-brown crust and flavorful, juicy meat. And no, you don’t need to be a chef to nail this—it’s beginner-friendly, kid-approved, and adult-loved. If you’ve been craving some ultimate comfort food or just want to impress your dinner guests, look no further. This Crispy Fried Chicken recipe has your name all over it!Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Golden, perfectly crispy coating
- Juicy, flavorful chicken inside
- Easier to make than you think
- Classic Southern comfort food
- Great for family dinners or special gatherings
- Uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients
- Versatile for adding your own twist
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken: Use drumsticks, thighs, or a mix of pieces depending on what you have.
- Buttermilk: Essential for tenderizing the chicken. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works great for that classic crust.
- Spices: A mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Swap out or add cayenne pepper for heat!
- Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or peanut oil.
How to Make the Recipe (Step-by-Step)
- Marinate the Chicken: Mix buttermilk with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then soak the chicken overnight or at least for 4 hours.
- Prepare the Coating: In a bowl, mix flour with additional paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then coat each piece in the flour mixture thoroughly.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or deep pan, heat the oil to 350°F. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is the right temperature.
- Fry in Batches: Carefully place the chicken pieces in the oil without crowding the pan. Fry for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- Drain and Rest: Place the cooked chicken on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Expert Tips for Success
Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor.
Use a deep-fry thermometer to keep the oil at a steady 350°F.
Don’t overcrowd the frying pan—this keeps the oil temperature steady.
Let the chicken rest on a wire rack, not paper towels, to maintain crispiness.
Variations and Customizations
Feeling adventurous? Add your own spice mix to the coating or switch things up with a breadcrumb crust. For a healthier option, try air frying the chicken instead of deep frying. Want to dial up the heat? Throw in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the buttermilk marinade. If you’re cooking for kids, you could even create ‘mini fried chicken bites’ using smaller, boneless pieces of chicken—great for dipping in ketchup or ranch.
Nutritional Information
This Crispy Fried Chicken is undeniably delicious yet indulgent. A typical serving (1-2 pieces) provides approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the size and pieces used. It packs in about 25–30g of protein per piece, along with 20-25g of fat, mostly from the frying oil. Carbs come mainly from the flour coating, tallying up to around 10g per piece. While classic fried chicken is not exactly ‘diet food,’ you can balance your meal by pairing it with a green side salad or steamed veggies. For dietary adjustments, consider oven-baking or air-frying as lower-fat alternatives.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? No problem. Store any extra crispy fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, skip the microwave unless you want soggy chicken—no thanks! Instead, pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F for 10–15 minutes to bring back that golden crunch. If you’d prefer, an air fryer works wonders too and reheats the chicken evenly. That homemade crispy magic will be back in no time.
Recipe Card of Crispy Fried Chicken
Ingredients list
- 1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Begin by taking your cut-up chicken pieces and, if you wish, remove the skin.
- Place flour in a large plastic bag. Adjust quantity based on chicken volume. Season generously with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dunk the chicken in buttermilk, place in the flour bag, seal, and thoroughly shake to coat.
- Arrange coated pieces on a tray, cover, and let sit until the flour turns paste-like. A crucial step!
- Fill a skillet partially with oil and heat very hot.
- Cook chicken until browned, then cover and let cook for 30 minutes. Uncover, raise heat, and crisp up.
- Finally, drain on paper towels. Repeat if necessary, keeping fried chicken warm in the oven.
Recipe Video
Notes
Nutrition
All Your Questions About This Recipe
Can I use chicken breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to cut them into smaller pieces to make frying easier and cooking more even.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No worries—you can mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to create a quick buttermilk substitute.
Can I make this in an air fryer?
Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, spray your chicken with a little oil, and cook for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for safe eating.
Wow, this Crispy Fried Chicken recipe looks amazing! I love that it only takes 15 minutes to prep and the buttermilk marinade sounds like a great way to keep the chicken tender. I might try adding a little garlic powder for an extra kick. Can’t wait to make this for my family dinner!