Crispy Southern Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe – Home-Style Magic

My mom’s secret chicken fried chicken recipe always sparks excitement around our dinner table.

Crispy, golden-brown coating promises pure comfort on a plate.

Southern kitchens know how to make magic with simple ingredients.

Perfectly seasoned breading creates a delightful crunch that makes you smile.

Memories of childhood meals rush back with each bite.

Weeknight dinners or special gatherings deserve this classic dish that never disappoints.

Let’s uncover the steps to make this irresistible comfort food sing.

Chicken Fried Chicken: Crispy and Comforting

• Crunch into Comfort: Discover the magic of this chicken fried chicken recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
• Tackle with Ease: Beginner cooks can confidently nail this recipe with straightforward steps and basic kitchen tools, making it perfect for cooking newbies.
• Family Dinner Champion: Guaranteed to please everyone from kids to grandparents, this crispy, golden dish brings smiles and satisfies hearty appetites with its classic southern-style flavor.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal ingredients and simple cooking technique mean you can whip up a delicious meal in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving home-cooked goodness.

Ingredients for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Fresh, boneless chicken meat that creates the main protein of the dish.

• Flour, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper: Spice blend that provides robust flavor and crispy coating for the chicken.

• Eggs, Buttermilk: Mixture that helps the seasoned flour adhere to the chicken and creates a rich, tender coating.

• Vegetable Oil: Essential for creating a crispy, golden-brown exterior on the chicken.

• Butter, Flour, Milk, Salt, Pepper: Classic components that combine to create a smooth, creamy sauce to complement the fried chicken.

Step-by-Step Chicken Fried Chicken Instructions

Step 1: Tenderize The Chicken

Gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap until they reach an even, uniform thickness.

Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create consistent texture.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Seasoning

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these spices thoroughly into the flour to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 3: Prepare Dipping Stations

Set up two separate bowls for coating the chicken.

In the first bowl, vigorously whisk eggs with buttermilk until well blended.

In the second bowl, pour the seasoned flour mixture.

Step 4: Coat Chicken Perfectly

Dunk each chicken breast first into the egg-buttermilk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off.

Then roll the chicken in the seasoned flour, pressing gently to ensure a complete, crispy coating.

Step 5: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan.

Heat oil to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for even frying.

Step 6: Fry To Golden Perfection

Carefully place coated chicken into hot oil.

Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until achieving a deep golden-brown color and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 7: Create Creamy Gravy

In a separate saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to create a roux.

Gradually pour in milk, whisking continuously.

Season with salt and pepper until gravy reaches desired thickness.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer crispy chicken to serving plate.

Generously drizzle warm gravy over the top.

Serve immediately while hot and crunchy.

Tips for Crispy Chicken Fried Chicken

• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create an even chicken thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and crispy texture.
• Soak chicken in buttermilk before coating to tenderize meat and add extra flavor depth for juicier results.
• Maintain consistent 350F oil temperature for golden-brown crust without burning; use a thermometer for accuracy.
• Place fried chicken on paper towels to absorb excess oil, then let rest 5 minutes to keep meat tender and crisp coating intact.
• Whisk milk slowly into roux and stir constantly to prevent lumps, creating a silky-smooth white gravy.

Variations on Chicken Fried Chicken

• Gluten-Free Chicken Crisp: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
• Herb-Infused Chicken Delight: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the flour mixture for enhanced flavor profile.
• Spicy Southern Crunch: Increase cayenne pepper and add hot sauce to the egg mixture for a fiery kick.
• Baked Lighter Option: Skip frying and bake the coated chicken at 425F for 20-25 minutes, using a wire rack for crispier texture.

Serving Ideas for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Southern Comfort Plate: Pair the crispy chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and buttery green beans for a classic comfort meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Brunch Star: Serve atop fluffy buttermilk biscuits and top with extra gravy, creating a hearty weekend breakfast that will impress family and friends.
• Picnic Perfect: Pack the fried chicken cold in a picnic basket with coleslaw and cornbread for a delightful outdoor dining experience that screams summer fun.
• Spicy Twist: Drizzle with hot honey or serve alongside a zesty dipping sauce to add an extra kick of flavor that elevates the traditional chicken recipe.

Storing Chicken Fried Chicken Properly

• Place cooled chicken fried chicken in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sogginess. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring no air pockets to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm chicken on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and preventing overcooking.

FAQs

• Why pound the chicken breasts?

Pounding creates an even thickness, ensuring the chicken cooks uniformly and prevents some parts from being undercooked or overcooked, resulting in a more consistent texture and better taste.

• What does buttermilk do in the recipe?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat more soft and juicy, and adds a subtle tangy flavor to the coating.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature?

Use a thermometer to check that the oil is at 350F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of bread into the oil – if it sizzles and turns golden within 60 seconds, the oil is ready for frying.

• Can I use a different type of oil for frying?

Yes, you can use vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.

Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy chicken fried chicken delights Southern palates with golden-brown perfection. Juicy meat and crunchy exterior create a comfort classic that brings smiles to dinner tables across America.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Breading Mixture:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Tenderize chicken breasts by gently pounding them to an uniform thickness, creating an ideal surface for crispy coating.
2. Craft a robust seasoning blend by combining flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a wide mixing bowl.
3. Establish a two-stage dredging system: whisk eggs with buttermilk in one container, and position the seasoned flour mixture in a separate shallow dish.
4. Completely submerge each chicken breast first in the egg-buttermilk mixture, then thoroughly coat with the seasoned flour, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Prepare a large skillet by heating vegetable oil to 350°F, creating an ideal frying environment with approximately 1/2 inch of oil depth.
6. Carefully lower chicken into hot oil, maintaining a steady temperature, and fry for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and confirming internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
8. For optional gravy, melt butter in a saucepan, incorporate flour, and gradually whisk in milk, simmering until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper.
9. Plate the crispy chicken and optionally drizzle with warm gravy, serving immediately to preserve optimal texture and temperature.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and crispy coating.
• Pat chicken dry before pounding to help seasoning adhere better and create crunchier texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent greasy or undercooked chicken and achieve golden-brown exterior.
• Allow excess buttermilk to drip off before dredging to prevent clumpy flour coating and ensure crisp breading.
• Let fried chicken rest on paper towels to absorb extra oil and keep breading crisp.
• Can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with vinegar for similar tangy flavor and tenderizing effect.
• Experiment with spice blend by adding cayenne or smoked paprika for extra kick and depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg