Description
Crispy Southern Country Fried Chicken delivers a classic comfort meal straight from American kitchens. Golden-brown coating embraces juicy meat, promising a rich, satisfying experience that connects home cooks with traditional Southern culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Coating Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups buttermilk (see notes for substitutions)
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Protect each chicken breast with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to gently flatten to approximately 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) thick, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Thoroughly pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and buttermilk until well combined. Completely submerge the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or ideally overnight to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to rest at room temperature for 25-30 minutes, which helps ensure even cooking and prevents cold meat from drastically lowering the oil temperature.
- Create the breading mixture by combining all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and ground black pepper in a shallow, wide dish. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully dredge each piece in the seasoned breading mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a complete, thick coating that will create a crispy exterior.
- Pour 2-3 inches (5-7.6 centimeters) of vegetable oil into a cast iron skillet. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) using a deep-fry thermometer. Carefully lower breaded chicken into the hot oil, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Using tongs, transfer fried chicken to a wire cooling rack placed over a baking sheet, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining the crispy coating’s crunchiness. Repeat frying process with remaining chicken pieces.
- Serve immediately alongside traditional accompaniments like warm cornbread, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich country gravy for a classic Southern-style meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is completely dry before marinating to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
- Marinating overnight transforms tough meat into tender, flavor-packed deliciousness that melts in your mouth.
- Using a cast iron skillet distributes heat evenly, creating that perfect golden-brown crust every Southern cook dreams about.
- Let chicken rest at room temperature before frying to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent cold spots in the meat.
- Pressing breading firmly onto chicken creates a thick, crunchy coating that locks in juices and delivers incredible texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 1,160 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 5,030mg
- Fat: 85g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 68g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 92g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 54g
- Cholesterol: 290mg