Description
Homemade fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food with a golden, crunchy crust and an unmistakably flavorful, juicy, and tender inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lbs whole chicken, cut into pieces
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups pickle juice
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut the chicken and discard the backbone. We usually cut the chicken into 8-10 smaller pieces.
- Step 2: Add pickle juice and buttermilk to a large bowl, stir to combine. For a spicier kick, add some hot sauce as well.
- Step 3: Next, add the chicken pieces into the mixture. Set aside for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Step 4: In a medium, shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Step 5: Place a wire rack onto a baking sheet and set it nearby.
- Step 6: Remove one chicken piece from the buttermilk mixture, toss it well into the flour mixture, and place it onto the prepared cooling rack. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Step 7: To save time, add the flour mixture to a large baking dish, then add the chicken and toss to combine before placing it on the cooling rack.
- Step 8: Place a large/deep frying pan and fill it 1/2 full with oil. Heat oil to 365 degrees and fry the chicken in batches, careful not to overcrowd it. Cook chicken for 10 or more minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Step 9: Remove the chicken and place it on a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 10: Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy.
Notes
To ensure the coating sticks and results in a crispy skin, let the dredged chicken rest for at least 10-30 minutes on a wire rack before frying. Always maintain oil temperature between 360°F and 375°F.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 990 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 5596 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 35 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 86 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 68 g
- Cholesterol: 235 mg
Keywords: fried chicken, homemade fried chicken, crunchy chicken, buttermilk brine