Soulful Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
There's nothing like crispy, golden Soulful Southern Fried Chicken Recipe. This Soulful Southern Fried Chicken Recipe brings comfort to every bite.
Equipment
- Large cast iron skillet or heavy pot
- Meat thermometer for checking doneness
- Mixing bowls (2-3 different sizes)
- Paper towels for draining excess oil
- Tongs for flipping chicken safely
- Wire rack for keeping chicken crispy
Ingredients
- 8 chicken pieces legs, thighs, breasts
- 2 cups buttermilk for soaking overnight
- 2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
- 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder and paprika each
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
- Vegetable oil for frying about 3 cups
Instructions
- Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for 4 hours.
- You can also leave it overnight for better results.
- The buttermilk makes the meat super tender.
- It also helps seasonings stick to the chicken.
- Mix flour with all the spices in a bowl.
- Make sure everything is combined really well.
- Taste the flour mixture and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Pour oil into your skillet about 2 inches deep.
- Heat it to 350°F on your thermometer.
- Don't skip checking the temperature for best results.
- Take chicken from buttermilk and dredge in flour mixture.
- Press the coating firmly onto each piece.
- Carefully place chicken in the hot oil.
- Fry for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip halfway through for even cooking.
- Remove chicken and place on paper towels first.
- Then transfer to a wire rack to stay crispy.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the pan or temperature drops quickly.
- Fry in batches for the crispiest results possible.
- Let chicken sit at room temperature before frying.
- This helps it cook evenly all the way through.
- Season your flour generously for maximum flavor impact.
- Use a thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
- Double dip in buttermilk and flour for extra crunch.