Description
Crispy Southern fried chicken recipe delivers golden-brown perfection with a secret blend of spices. Juicy meat and crackling exterior promise a memorable meal that brings comfort and flavor to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
- 3 tsps salt
- 2 ½ tsps seasoned salt
- 1 ½ tsps black pepper
- ¾ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Encase chicken breasts in plastic wrap and gently flatten to uniform 0.5-inch thickness using a meat mallet to guarantee even cooking.
- Marination: Whisk eggs, salt, and buttermilk in a large bowl. Submerge chicken completely in the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight to maximize flavor infusion and tenderness.
- Temperature Balancing: Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator and allow to rest at room temperature for 25-30 minutes, preventing oil temperature fluctuations during cooking.
- Breading Creation: Blend all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and ground black pepper in a shallow dish, ensuring even seasoning distribution.
- Coating and Frying: Drain chicken from marinade and thoroughly dredge in seasoned breading, pressing firmly to create a robust, crispy exterior. Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet to 350°F. Gently lower breaded chicken into hot oil, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Resting and Serving: Transfer fried chicken to a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness. Plate with classic Southern sides like cornbread, mashed potatoes, and country gravy for a hearty, traditional meal.
Notes
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Letting chicken soak in buttermilk mixture overnight tenderizes meat and infuses deep, rich taste throughout the protein.
- Maintain Precise Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently at 350°F to guarantee crispy, golden exterior without greasy or soggy results; use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Pat Chicken Completely Dry: Removing excess moisture before breading ensures crunchier coating and prevents oil from spattering during frying.
- Rest Chicken Before Cooking: Allowing marinated chicken to reach room temperature helps achieve even cooking and prevents dramatic oil temperature drops when adding meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg