Classic Southern Fried Chicken
Main Dishes
#friedchicken
#southern

Classic Southern Fried Chicken

Perfectly seasoned, crispy-skinned fried chicken with juicy, tender meat - the gold standard of Southern comfort food.

50 min
6 servings
SouthernComfy Editorial Team

Recipe by the SouthernComfy Editorial Team

Developed and reviewed by our editorial team.

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

30m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Per serving · estimated

Calories

580

Protein

42 g

Carbs

28 g

Fat

32 g

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#southernfood#comfortfood#homecooking#southernrecipes

Ingredients

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  • 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1

Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 4 hours or overnight.

2

Mix flour with all spices in a large shallow dish.

3

Heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F in a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven .

4

Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.

5

Dredge each piece thoroughly in seasoned flour.

6

Carefully place chicken in hot oil, skin side down. Don't overcrowd.

7

Fry 12-15 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.

8

Drain on a wire rack over paper towels.

9

Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Our Team's Pro Tips

Cold chicken is key - refrigerate for at least 1 hour after buttermilk soak for maximum juiciness

Don't crowd the pan - fry in batches to maintain oil temperature at 325-350°F

The secret to crispy skin: Double-dredge method with a rest between coatings

Common mistake: Flipping too often causes coating to fall off. Flip only once after 12 minutes

Make-ahead tip: Fry the day before, refrigerate, then reheat in 350°F oven for 15 minutes for parties

For extra crispy results: Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the flour mixture

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, SouthernComfy.com earns from qualifying purchases.

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