Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Juicy chicken soaked in seasoned buttermilk, then dredged and fried until shatteringly crisp and golden. A true Southern Sunday-supper classic. Plan ahead: the chicken marinates for at least 4 hours.
- Prep time
- 4 hr 30 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Total time
- 5 hrs
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
Ingredients
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Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, hot sauce, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add the chicken, turn to coat, cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
In a wide shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper.
Lift each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting the extra drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing so it sticks. Set on a wire rack and let rest 15 minutes so the coating sets.
Pour oil into a large Dutch oven or deep cast-iron skillet to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches. Heat over medium-high to 350°F.
Fry the chicken in batches, without crowding, turning every few minutes. Keep the oil between 300°F and 325°F once the chicken is in. Fry dark meat 12 to 15 minutes and white meat 10 to 12 minutes, until deep golden brown and the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Tips and substitutions
- Use a deep-fry or instant-read thermometer. Oil that's too cool makes greasy chicken; too hot browns the outside before the inside cooks.
- Keep finished batches warm and crisp on the rack in a 200°F oven.
- Never leave hot oil unattended, and keep a lid nearby. Let the oil cool completely before discarding it.
- Drizzle a little honey over the hot chicken for a sweet-and-spicy finish.
Nutrition (estimated)
| Calories | 640 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 36 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Per serving, based on 4 servings. This is an estimate calculated from typical ingredients and will vary with the brands and amounts you use.
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