Description
Southern charm meets crispy perfection in this ultimate fried chicken masterpiece, where golden-brown crunch and juicy meat create a mouthwatering experience. Generations of Southern cooking wisdom blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this classic comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 12 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for added spice)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Cooking Oil:
- Vegetable oil or peanut oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Submerge chicken pieces in a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce marinade, guaranteeing complete coverage of each piece.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight, to enhance flavor penetration and tenderize the meat.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to reach room temperature, promoting even cooking.
- Combine flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a wide, shallow dish, creating a seasoned coating mixture.
- Shake excess marinade off each chicken piece, then thoroughly dredge in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Gently press the flour coating onto the chicken to help it adhere and create a crispy exterior.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Carefully place coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding to maintain oil temperature and ensure crisp results.
- Fry chicken for 12-15 minutes, turning periodically to achieve golden-brown coloration and internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and preserve crispiness.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to seal in juices and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for maximum tenderness and deep flavor infusion from buttermilk’s natural tenderizing properties.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces to guarantee juicier results and more authentic Southern-style texture.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization of heat level without compromising traditional recipe integrity.
- Pat chicken completely dry before breading to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior that adheres perfectly during frying.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg