Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken

🍽️ Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • Vegetable oil for frying

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1

Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken in buttermilk, cover and refrigerate to tenderize the meat.

⏱ At least 2 hours
2

Prepare the Coating

Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne in a large bowl.

⏱ About 3 minutes
3

Heat the Oil

Heat frying oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to about 350°F (175°C).

⏱ About 10 minutes
4

Coat the Chicken

Remove chicken from the buttermilk, let excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour.

⏱ About 5 minutes
5

Fry the First Batch

Carefully add a few pieces at a time and fry without overcrowding the pan.

⏱ About 12–15 minutes
6

Turn and Finish

Turn the chicken as needed until deeply golden and cooked through.

⏱ About 8–10 minutes
7

Drain

Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack so the crust stays crisp.

⏱ About 3 minutes
8

Rest and Serve

Let the chicken rest briefly before serving.

⏱ About 5 minutes

📦 Storage

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat uncovered in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.

🍓 Serving Suggestions

Serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, coleslaw, corn or mac and cheese.