Buttermilk Fried Chicken
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This Buttermilk Fried Chicken boasts a tantalizingly crisp crust, infused with paprika and a kick of hot sauce. Dive into each succulent bite, and let the flavors whisk you away on a Southern culinary adventure.
Best Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
Everybody loves fried chicken! We’re talking crispy, juicy, flavorful chicken. Whether you’re using drumsticks, wings, or breast, I’ve got you covered with this buttermilk coating full of crunchy ripples that you’re just dying to sink your teeth in. That first bite is what gets you and keeps you wanting more!
With each bite, the rich infusion of paprika and a subtle kick from the hot sauce tantalize your taste buds. The outer crust, crisp and golden, encases the juicy, tender meat within, creating a harmony of textures and flavors. Furthermore, the double-dredging method ensures that the chicken retains its mouth-watering juiciness while offering an exterior that’s irresistibly crunchy.
Why You’ll Love This Fried Chicken
- Crunchy Perfection: The double-dredging technique gives the chicken an unbeatably crispy outer layer that’s a delightful contrast to the tender, juicy meat inside.
- Flavor Explosion: The infusion of paprika and hot sauce, combined with the tangy richness of buttermilk, ensures each bite is bursting with a symphony of flavors.
- Homemade Comfort: There’s nothing like the comforting nostalgia evoked by a classic fried chicken recipe, making it a surefire hit for family gatherings or simply relishing a cozy meal at home.
- Chicken pieces (wings, legs, thighs, or breast): The star of the dish. If desired, turkey or duck pieces can be used as an alternative.
- Buttermilk: Acts as a tenderizer, giving the chicken its soft and juicy texture inside. Yogurt or a mixture of milk with a touch of lemon juice can replace buttermilk in a pinch.
- Eggs: Helps in binding the flour to the chicken, ensuring an even and consistent crust. For an egg-free alternative, a flaxseed or chia seed mixture can be used.
- Paprika: Imparts a mild, smoky flavor to the chicken. For a different taste, smoked paprika or cayenne pepper can be used.
- Hot sauce: Adds a kick of spice and tanginess. Chili flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper can be used for a similar spicy effect.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that heighten the natural flavors of the chicken. Feel free to adjust according to personal preference or explore with seasoned salts or freshly cracked peppercorns.
- Baking powder & Baking soda: Contribute to the crust’s crispiness by creating tiny bubbles when frying. If unavailable, you can skip these, though the texture might slightly vary.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the crunchy exterior of the chicken when fried. Gluten-free flour or cornstarch can be used for those with dietary restrictions.
- Vegetable oil: Used for frying, it ensures a golden-brown finish to the chicken. Other oils like canola or peanut oil can also be employed for frying.
Trust me, making this Buttermilk Fried Chicken is way easier than you’d think! Let’s get started.
Alright, grab a big bowl. Pour in the buttermilk, toss in the eggs, paprika, hot sauce, a pinch of salt, and some pepper. Whisk it all up. Oh, and don’t forget the baking powder and soda! It’s gonna give our chicken that perfect crunch.
First off, give your chicken a good rinse and pat them dry with some paper towels. Now, lay out a dish and fill it with flour. Now, take each chicken piece, coat it in the flour, dunk it in the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the flour. Yeah, double-dipping! That’s our secret to an extra crispy crust.
Pour enough vegetable oil into a skillet or Dutch oven, about an inch deep. Heat it up till it’s around 350°F. You can test if it’s ready by dropping a tiny bit of flour in – if it sizzles, you’re good to go!
Time for the fun part! Place a few chicken pieces into the hot oil, but give them space—think of it like they’re sunbathing. Fry one side till it’s golden, which is about 7 minutes, then flip them over for another few minutes. Remember, we’re aiming for a perfect 165°F inside.
Once they’re gorgeously golden, place them on a plate with some paper towels. Let them chill for a bit (about 10 minutes) – they’ve been through a lot! After that, dig in and enjoy your masterpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does buttermilk do to fried chicken?
Buttermilk acts as a tenderizer for the chicken. The mild acidity breaks down the protein, making the chicken juicy and tender. Plus, it gives the chicken a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the crispy crust.
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless chicken will cook faster, so you’ll need to adjust the frying time. Just make sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What can I use as a substitute for buttermilk?
If you’re out of buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of regular milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and it’ll curdle slightly, mimicking the consistency and acidity of buttermilk.
Why double-dip the chicken in flour and buttermilk?
Double-dipping is the key to that extra crispy crust! The first dip in flour helps the buttermilk mixture adhere better, and the second dip ensures a thick, crunchy outer layer.
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?
Yes, you can! Check out my recipe for air fryer fried chicken for complete instructions.
Can I make this fried chicken in the oven?
Yes, you can! Oven-frying is a fantastic alternative for achieving that crispy texture without deep-frying in oil. Begin by marinating and coating the chicken with your buttermilk mixture and flour, as you would for traditional frying. Next, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Instead of frying, place the chicken pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, allowing heat to circulate around the chicken. Bake until golden and crispy, ensuring the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The result? Crispy, delicious “fried” chicken without the added calories and mess of deep frying!
Serve With This
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Baked Mac And Cheese
Classic Potato Salad
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Expert Tips
- Marinate Overnight: For an even more flavorful and tender chicken, let the chicken pieces marinate in the buttermilk mixture overnight in the refrigerator. The longer soak will intensify the flavors and make the chicken incredibly tender.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a consistent oil temperature when frying. If the oil gets too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. If it’s too cool, the chicken will absorb more oil and become greasy. Use a thermometer to keep an eye on it!
- Resting Is Key: After dredging the chicken in flour, let it sit for about 10-15 minutes before frying. This step allows the flour to adhere better, ensuring a crispier crust.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Fry in batches to ensure even cooking. Overcrowding the pan can drop the oil’s temperature and make the chicken pieces stick together.
- Drain on a Rack: Instead of draining fried chicken on paper towels, place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This method prevents the chicken from getting soggy and keeps that crust perfectly crispy.
Storage
To store leftover buttermilk fried chicken, first let it cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the chicken to an airtight container or wrap it securely in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If you’re planning on keeping it longer, you can freeze the fried chicken. Place the cooled chicken pieces on a baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching, and freeze for about an hour. After they’re frozen, transfer them to freezer bags, removing as much air as possible, and they should keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat in the oven to regain that crispy texture.
Craving More Chicken? Try These Recipes:
- Bang Bang Chicken
- Coconut Chicken
- Chicken Poppers
- Cuban Chicharrones de Pollo
- Harissa Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
- Best Fried Chicken Sandwich
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings (chicken legs, thighs or chicken breast)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil ( for frying)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- To a large bowl add the buttermilk, eggs, paprika, hot sauce, salt, pepper and whisk until combined. Whisk in the baking powder and baking soda. In a shallow dish add the flour.
- First dredge the chicken in the flour on all sides, then dip into the buttermilk mixture and make sure it's coated well all around. Dredge the chicken in flour one more time, then place the chicken on a plate or rack, and repeat with all chicken pieces. If your flour gets too dirty just throw it out and start with fresh flour.
- Add enough oil to a deep skillet or Dutch oven, at least an inch deep and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350℉. It should take about 15 minutes.
- Place a few pieces of chicken in the skillet but make sure they do not touch, you want about 1 inch space in between them. For 1 pound of chicken you will have to do this in a 2 batches. Fry on the first side for about 7 minutes or until golden brown, then flip the chicken and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes on the second side. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F degrees, or a total of 12 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up some of the oil. Cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment
Notes
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you’re out of buttermilk, combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then it’s ready to use.
- Optimal Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at 350°F is crucial for perfect frying. Too hot, and the chicken will burn outside before cooking inside. Too cool, and it will absorb too much oil, becoming soggy.
- Chicken Size Matters: Smaller pieces of chicken will cook more quickly than larger ones. Adjust your frying time accordingly.
- Resting is Key: Letting the chicken rest on a wire rack instead of a paper towel helps it stay crispy.
- Seasoning Tip: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding garlic powder or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I am a super critic of fried chicken and have tried many recipes & ways. I actually sous vide my chicken first and then flash fry for the crust / coating. Lots of benefits doing sous vide..So last week my wife said I had finally hit it with perfect fried chicken…then I read your recipe on line and decided to give it a try even though we were quite happy with last weeks effort. What intrigued me was your introduction of the baking powder & baking soda in the egg wash in lieu of the flour…..Wow….we have a new winner…this will be my go to recipe going forward. The texture was superb….Winner winner chicken dinner….simply divine…Thank you
My pleasure, so glad you liked it!
I am a tad confused here… you add the baking powder and baking soda to the wet mixture first? Not the flour? Also, if you only use all purpose flour, could you use flour that self rising? I am very eager to try this based on your preparation.
Yeah that’s right, I find it makes the batter fluffier and you end up with a thicker, fluffier and crispier coating. Yes you can use self-rising flour.
Thanks Joanna! I am going to make this tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. Stay well and blessed.
Love this recipe! I use it with boneless, skinless chicken breast for chicken burgers. Thanks for sharing!
How would I make this in an air fryer?
You can follow this recipe here: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/air-fryer-fried-chicken/
My grandma made the best fried chicken ever! It was a multi day process. First was the buttermilk marinade for at least 24 hours. Then, she would put the dredge (flour mixture) in a paper bag; throw the marinated chicken pieces in the bag and shake the bag to high heaven. If she had the time she would return to the fridge and shake again after a couple of hours (rinse & repeat time permitting). To this day, the BEST fried chicken I’ve ever had. This recipe comes the closest to what I remember my grandma put in her recipe. Unfortunately, she never wrote it down.
If I marinate the chicken in buttermilk prior to the dredging process, do you recommend that I should still pat the chicken dry before dredging it in the flour or should I just skip the drying part?
The important part here is the buttermilk mixed with the baking soda and powder. Don’t marinate the chicken with those ingredients added- the bubbles will eventually die and your crispiness will be defeated. Marinate in some buttermilk if you’d like, rinse & pat dry, then you can reuse the buttermilk to whip up our buttermilk mixture fresh.
Question: your recipe calls for placing chicken pieces in flour, dip in buttermilk then back into flour. Should you not dip the chicken pieces in buttermilk first then flour? Otherwise how will the flour stick to the chicken if you have patted it dry.
Nope! It’s done that way for a reason 🙂 Wet wont stick to wet! It also gives the chicken an extra crispy coating.
Doesn’t dark and white meat need different cooking times? I’m using a deep fryer for the first time.
It’s more bone-in versus boneless that need different cooking times when it comes to frying. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check your chicken’s doneness if you’re worried; 165F is safe for poultry.
Can you make this without eggs? We have an egg allergy at home. Would love to try this recipe w/o eggs if possible.
Yes you can!
Any hot sauce you love best will work!
I have made this recipe for the past few years. Every Superbowl, I make chicken wings using this recipe. My wife, of 44 years, who has never liked my chicken wings, tried these the first year I tried this new recipe. She went back for seconds and thirds. She now makes sure I make these wings more often then just for the superbowl!
This is, hands down, the most flavorful fried chicken recipe that I have ever made, or had anywhere else!
Wow what a wonderful compliment! Thank you so much, Bob. We’re glad they’re such a hit.
Hi Jo I am making this tonight and I noticed on this recipe it says 1/2 tsp of hot sauce and the one I was following on the Craving Home Cooked site said 1/2 cup of hot sauce. I only used 1/4 cup but now seeing that this one is using 1/2 tsp, is my chicken going to burn a hole in my stomach Lolol. Why such a big difference? Is it going to be really really hot? Thanks
It’s not going to be hot at all, don’t worry. 🙂 I wrote the recipe on this blog many years ago when I couldn’t stand heat at all. Since then I’ve been training myself to handle more heat, so both recipes are correct. Use as much hot sauce as you want, but keep in mind that most of the buttermilk mixture is left in the bowl so not a lot of it really stick to the chicken itself. You should be fine. 🙂
I made the chicken yesterday. It was a cut up pre-packed fryer from the local grocery. I thought I followed the steps closely. Okay the chicken coating was overly brown bordering on being burnt. I kept monitoring the temp with an instant read. The coating had a good color and the internal temp was still 70! Of course leaving it in longer brought the temp up but it trashed the coating. The oil temp stayed between 330 and 350. The legs were decent, of course the mass was less so it came up to temperature faster.
I used a lodge cast iron 5qt fryer with about an inch of peanut oil in it.
In retrospect I could have cut the chicken in smaller chunks and maybe let the pieces come to room temp before cooking. Looking forward to do it again, any suggestions?
This recipe was made with drums and wings so it does make sense that the legs turned out well for you. Were the pieces that burnt quite large? You can reduce the heat to 300F for large pieces like breast, for example.
your buttermilk chicken makes my taste buds tinkle without eating them just to think of the taste after i saw the recipe keep up the good work motivating us who like to try dishes
Hi, do you use skinless chicken for this recipe or skin on? Thanks! Can’t wait to try it.
We use skin-on for that extra crisp! You can use either.