This classic fried chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners and special occasions. The combination of marinating in buttermilk and flavorful seasonings results in tender, juicy chicken with a crispy, golden crust. Serve it up with your favorite sides and enjoy a delicious homemade meal.
Homemade Crispy Fried Chicken
This classic fried chicken recipe results in crispy, golden-brown chicken with juicy, tender meat. Follow these steps for a delicious homemade fried chicken experience.
Equipment
- Heavy skillet or deep fryer
- tongs
- paper towels
- wire rack
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs you can also use drumsticks or a mix of chicken pieces
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spiciness)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, pour the buttermilk over the chicken pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results. This helps tenderize the chicken and infuse flavor.
Prepare the dredging mix
- In a large, shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and let any excess drip off.
Coat the chicken
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the chicken to ensure a thick coating.
- Place the coated chicken on a wire rack and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better.
Heat the oil
- In a heavy skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, skin side down.
Fry the Chicken
- Fry for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve
- Let the fried chicken cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade classic fried chicken with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
This classic fried chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for family dinners and special occasions. The combination of marinating in buttermilk and flavorful seasonings results in tender, juicy chicken with a crispy, golden crust. Serve it up with your favorite sides and enjoy a delicious homemade meal.
Serve your classic fried chicken with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and gravy for a hearty meal. It also goes well with biscuits and hot sauce for a Southern-inspired feast.
Nutrition
Fiber: 1gCalories: 450kcalFat: 28gProtein: 30gCarbohydrates: 15g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!