Description
A classic, golden-brown fried chicken recipe that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside — ideal for family dinners, picnics, or parties.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat well.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches. Fry for 10–12 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
- Transfer cooked chicken to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving for the crispiest texture.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to ensure oil stays around 350°F for even frying.
- Letting the chicken rest before serving helps lock in juices and maintain crispiness.
- Double dredging (dip in buttermilk again before flour) makes for an extra crunchy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg