Crispy Southern Comfort: Homemade Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe

Crispy and golden chicken fried chicken brings comfort right to your plate with its irresistible Southern charm.

Juicy meat nestles beneath a crunchy, perfectly seasoned coating that promises pure deliciousness.

Regional kitchens have perfected this classic dish through generations of careful cooking techniques.

Serious home cooks understand that achieving the ideal texture requires patience and precise temperature control.

Salt, pepper, and a buttermilk bath create the magic behind each mouthwatering bite.

Restaurants might charge premium prices, but you can master this recipe at home with confidence.

The secret lies in letting the chicken rest and absorbing every delectable detail of preparation.

What Makes Chicken Fried Chicken So Good

• Customize with Ease: Adjust spices in the flour mixture to match your taste preferences, making this recipe a versatile canvas for personal culinary creativity.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Crispy, golden-brown chicken that appeals to both kids and adults, creating a satisfying meal everyone will love.
• Master Simple Technique: Learn a classic breading method that can be applied to various proteins, boosting your cooking confidence with each crispy bite.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Requires minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a delicious dinner solution in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the main star of this crispy fried chicken dish.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: A flavorful blend of dry ingredients that creates a deliciously seasoned and crispy exterior for the chicken.

• Eggs, Milk: A rich mixture that helps the flour coating stick perfectly to the chicken and creates a golden, crunchy crust.

• Vegetable Oil: The medium for achieving a perfectly crisp and evenly cooked chicken with a beautiful golden-brown color.

• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil and ensuring a crisp, not greasy, final result.

How to Prepare Chicken Fried Chicken

Step 1: Tenderize the Poultry

Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. The goal is to create an even thickness that will cook uniformly and ensure tender, juicy meat.

Step 2: Craft the Seasoned Coating

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

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re thoroughly blended, creating a flavorful base for the crispy exterior.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Dredging Solution

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.

This liquid will help the flour coating adhere perfectly to the chicken.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Dredge each chicken breast through the seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage.

Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, then return it to the flour mixture for a second coating. This double-dredging technique creates an extra crispy, golden shell.

Step 5: Heat the Cooking Surface

Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large skillet, filling it about 1/2 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers and is hot enough for frying.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully place the coated chicken into the hot oil. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes, or until the exterior turns a beautiful golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

The chicken should develop a crisp, crunchy exterior while remaining juicy inside.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to help the juices redistribute and maintain maximum flavor and tenderness.

Helpful Tips for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender meat.
• Use a blend of spices like smoked paprika or cayenne for extra flavor depth.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350°F for crispy, golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Let chicken rest on paper towels to absorb excess oil and keep coating crisp.
• For gluten-free option, swap wheat flour with almond or rice flour to maintain crunchiness.

Flavor Variations for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Add cayenne pepper and chili powder to the flour mixture for a hot, zesty flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Chicken: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, and parsley into the flour coating for a fragrant herbal experience.
• Buttermilk Brine Technique: Marinate chicken in buttermilk for 2 hours before coating to enhance tenderness and flavor.

Suggested Pairings for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Southern Comfort Plate: Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans for a classic Southern-style meal that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich Twist: Layer the fried chicken between soft buttermilk biscuits with a drizzle of honey mustard sauce for a delicious handheld version that's perfect for lunch.
• Hearty Chicken and Waffles: Place the golden chicken atop crispy waffles and finish with a generous pour of maple syrup for a decadent brunch experience that combines sweet and savory flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Cut the chicken into strips, pack with a side of coleslaw and pickles for an amazing portable meal that's great for outdoor gatherings and summer events.

Proper Storage for Chicken Fried Chicken

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Place chicken pieces in a single layer to prevent soggy texture.
• Wrap each piece individually in aluminum foil to maintain moisture.
• For best reheating, use an oven to restore crispy coating.

FAQs

• What are the key spices used in the chicken coating?

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika create a flavorful and aromatic seasoning that gives the chicken a delicious, well-balanced taste.

• How do I ensure the chicken is evenly cooked?

Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness before coating and frying. This helps the chicken cook uniformly and prevents dry or undercooked spots.

• Why do I need to double-coat the chicken?

Double-coating with flour and egg creates a crispy, thick exterior that seals in moisture and provides a satisfying crunch when you bite into the chicken.

• What type of oil works best for frying?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils can withstand high temperatures without burning and help achieve a golden-brown crust.

Quick Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern-style chicken fried chicken brings crispy comfort to your dinner table. Seasoned breading and golden-brown perfection guarantee a delightful meal that connects you with classic American cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap until uniformly thin and even, approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Create a seasoned flour coating by thoroughly blending dry spices into flour mixture, ensuring complete distribution of herbs and seasonings.
3. Prepare egg wash by whisking milk and eggs until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Methodically coat each chicken piece: first dredge completely in seasoned flour, then immerse in egg mixture, and finish with a final flour coating for maximum crispiness.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F, allowing oil to reach consistent temperature before adding chicken.
6. Carefully place coated chicken into hot oil, cooking each side for 4-5 minutes until exterior turns deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Transfer fried chicken to wire rack lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil and maintain crispy texture.
8. Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to help retain moisture and allow coating to set properly.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken by pounding evenly to ensure consistent cooking and crispy texture.
• Create a seasoning blend with extra herbs like thyme or cayenne for more depth of flavor.
• Pat chicken completely dry before dredging to help breading adhere perfectly and prevent soggy coating.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for optimal crispiness without burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg