Everyday KitchenSearch all recipes

American/Southern · Dinner

Southern Fried Chicken

Non-vegEasy

Diet: Non-veg · High-protein

Southern Fried Chicken is a American/Southern dish. Keep oil temperature steady and check beside the bone.

Prep
25 min
Cook
35 min
Rest, soak, marinate or chill
240 min
Total
300 min
Servings
6
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
American/Southern
Course
Dinner

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

Jump to recipe

Representative photograph of Southern Fried Chicken. The photograph includes fried okra and macaroni cheese not included in this recipe.
The photograph includes fried okra and macaroni cheese not included in this recipe. Representative photograph of Southern Fried Chicken. Garnishes and presentation may differ. Photo credit and licence
0 of 3 steps complete

Start cooking view to see whether your screen can stay awake.

Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 6

Marinade

Coating

Frying

Equipment

Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; heavy frying pan; spatula; food thermometer; baking tin or heatproof dish of the size stated in the method; heatproof spoon; spatula.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.

Steps

Marinate · About 240 min

  1. Mix 1500 g chicken pieces, bone-in, 500 ml buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp hot sauce; refrigerate 4 hours.

Coat · About 10 min

  1. Mix 250 g plain flour, 50 g cornflour, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper. Drain chicken and press into flour; rest on a rack 10 minutes.

Fry · About 18 min

  1. Heat 1500 ml neutral oil to 165°C / 330°F in a deep pan less than half full. Fry in batches 12–18 minutes, turning, until thickest pieces reach 74°C / 165°F. Drain on a rack.

    Check: Look for this result: thickest pieces reach 74°C / 165°F.

Tips

  • Keep oil temperature steady and check beside the bone.
  • Judge Southern Fried Chicken by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Southern Fried Chicken takes to cook.

Substitutions

  • In Southern Fried Chicken, replace buttermilk with plain yogurt thinned with milk.

Storage

  • Get perishable Southern Fried Chicken into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Southern Fried Chicken within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
  • Bring cooked Southern Fried Chicken to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Southern Fried Chicken is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.
  • If Southern Fried Chicken includes a thick sauce or soup, loosen it with a little water during gentle reheating. Any crisp coating on Southern Fried Chicken becomes softer in storage.

Make ahead

  • Prepare the coating ingredients for Southern Fried Chicken ahead and keep them separate. Apply the coating to Southern Fried Chicken shortly before cooking. Fry Southern Fried Chicken on the day of serving to keep the surface crisp. Keep perishable ingredients refrigerated throughout preparation.

FAQ

What matters most when making Southern Fried Chicken?

Keep oil temperature steady and check beside the bone.

What can I substitute in Southern Fried Chicken?

In Southern Fried Chicken, replace buttermilk with plain yogurt thinned with milk.

Can I prepare Southern Fried Chicken ahead?

Prepare the coating ingredients for Southern Fried Chicken ahead and keep them separate. Apply the coating to Southern Fried Chicken shortly before cooking. Fry Southern Fried Chicken on the day of serving to keep the surface crisp. Keep perishable ingredients refrigerated throughout preparation.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating

Related recipes