🍗 Southern Fried Chicken
Golden, crunchy, well-seasoned chicken soaked in buttermilk and fried to perfection.
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏳ Marinate: 2–8 hours
🔥 Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4–6
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken
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1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 3 lb mixed pieces)
Buttermilk Marinade
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2 cups buttermilk
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp cayenne (optional)
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1 tsp garlic powder
Coating
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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1½ tsp salt
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp black pepper
Frying
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Vegetable or peanut oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
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Mix buttermilk with spices
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Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate 2–8 hours (overnight best)
2️⃣ Prepare Coating
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Combine all flour mixture ingredients
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Remove chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip off
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Dredge chicken well, pressing flour onto skin
3️⃣ Rest (Southern Secret)
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Place coated chicken on rack 10 minutes
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Helps crust stick better
4️⃣ Fry
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Heat oil to 325–335°F (165–170°C)
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Fry in batches 12–15 minutes, turning once
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Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally
5️⃣ Drain & Serve
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Drain on rack or paper towels
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Rest 5 minutes before serving
🍽 Texture & Flavor
✔ Ultra crispy crust
✔ Juicy, tender meat
✔ Well-seasoned to the bone
✔ Classic Southern comfort
⭐ Tips & Variations
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Extra crispy: Double-dip in buttermilk + flour
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Spicy: Add hot sauce to marinade
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Oven finish: Fry 10 min, bake at 375°F for 10 min
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Air fryer: Spray oil, cook at 380°F for 22–25 min
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No buttermilk: Milk + lemon juice works
📊 Nutrition (Approx per piece)
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Calories: 320
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Protein: 24g
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Fat: 20g
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