There’s nothing quite like biting into a piece of perfectly crispy fried chicken recipe—golden on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Whether it’s for a family gathering, a picnic, or just a comforting dinner, Crispy Fried Chicken is a timeless classic loved by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can make this crispy, flavorful dish at home.
What Makes Fried Chicken So Irresistible?
The key to great fried chicken lies in the texture and flavor. The chicken is marinated to ensure it stays juicy, then coated in a seasoned flour mixture for that irresistible crunch. Once fried, each piece of chicken should have a crispy, golden-brown crust that gives way to moist and flavorful meat inside.
How to Make Crispy Fried Chicken
1. Marinate the Chicken
For the juiciest fried chicken, marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, ensuring it’s flavorful and moist after frying.
2. Prepare the Coating
In a large bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, and spices. This seasoned flour mixture is what gives the fried chicken its crispy, flavorful crust. You can adjust the spices to your taste—add more cayenne pepper for extra heat, or reduce it for a milder flavor.
3. Coat the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing it into the flour to ensure an even, thick coating. For extra crispy chicken, you can double-coat by dipping the floured chicken back into the buttermilk and then into the flour again.
4. Heat the Oil
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or cast-iron skillet, heat about 2-3 inches of oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). It’s important to maintain this temperature while frying to ensure the chicken cooks evenly without becoming too greasy.
5. Fry the Chicken
Carefully lower the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Fry for about 10-12 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
6. Drain and Serve
Once fried, remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. This helps keep the chicken crispy. Serve the fried chicken hot with your favorite dipping sauces or sides like coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or cornbread.
Tips for the Best Fried Chicken
- Use Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and keeps it moist, so don’t skip this step!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Fry the chicken in batches to ensure the oil temperature stays consistent and the chicken cooks evenly.
- Let It Rest: After frying, let the chicken rest on a wire rack to drain excess oil. This will keep the chicken crispy and prevent it from getting soggy.
Variations of Crispy Fried Chicken
While classic Crispy Fried Chicken is always a winner, there are plenty of ways to mix up the flavors:
- Spicy Fried Chicken: Add extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade for a spicy kick.
- Herb-Infused Chicken: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the flour mixture for a herby flavor.
- Southern-Style Fried Chicken: Serve your fried chicken with traditional Southern sides like biscuits, gravy, and collard greens for a comforting meal.
Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Shallow dish or tray
- Deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot
- Tongs
- Wire rack with a baking sheet (for draining)
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 Ibs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
For the Coating:
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. Marinate the chicken:In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add the chicken pieces, making sure they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.2. Prepare the coating:In a shallow dish or tray, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This seasoned flour mixture will give the chicken its crispy coating.3. Coat the chicken:Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing the flour into the chicken to ensure an even coating. For extra crispiness, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk and then into the flour again for a double coating.4. Heat the oil:Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature while frying.5. Fry the chicken:Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry in batches for 12-15 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).6. Drain the chicken:Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. This will keep the chicken crispy.7. Serve:Serve the crispy fried chicken hot with your favorite dipping sauces and side dishes like coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or cornbread.
Notes
- Marinate for flavor: Marinating the chicken in buttermilk for a longer period (up to 8 hours) will help tenderize the meat and infuse it with more flavor.
- Double coating: For extra crispy chicken, dip each piece back into the buttermilk and then the flour mixture for a double coating.
- Oil temperature: Maintaining the oil at a consistent temperature is key to achieving perfectly crispy chicken. Too hot, and the chicken will burn; too cool, and it will become greasy.
- Storage: Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Conclusion
Crispy Fried Chicken is the ultimate comfort food, with its crunchy coating and juicy, flavorful meat. Whether you’re enjoying it as part of a family dinner or serving it at a gathering, this homemade fried chicken recipe will always be a hit. With the right seasoning, technique, and a little bit of love, you can make fried chicken that’s just as good—if not better—than your favorite takeout!
