Southern Fried Chicken 🍗🔥
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces) or 2 lbs chicken thighs/drumsticks
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
For the Coating
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp baking powder
For Frying
Vegetable oil or peanut oil
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, mix buttermilk with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne.
Add chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. - Prepare the Flour Coating
In another bowl, combine:
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Garlic powder
Baking powder - Coat the Chicken
Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing firmly so the coating sticks well.
For extra crispy chicken:
Dip coated chicken back into buttermilk
Coat again in flour
Let pieces rest 10 minutes before frying. - Fry
Heat oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 175°C / 350°F.
Fry chicken in batches:
Dark meat: 12–15 minutes
White meat: 10–12 minutes
Turn occasionally until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 75°C / 165°F. - Drain & Serve
Place fried chicken on a wire rack or paper towels.
Serve hot with:
Mashed potatoes
Coleslaw
Biscuits
Fries
Honey or hot sauce
Enjoy your crispy homemade Southern fried chicken! 🍗