What’s better than homemade fried chicken? There are few things in this world, in our opinion. This Buttermilk Fried Chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside — just as it should be. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have a fried chicken dinner that rivals your favorite takeout fried chicken! Buttermilk Fried Chicken can be served with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or any other side of your choosing for the ideal Southern comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, legs, thighs, and/or breasts
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more, to taste
- vegetable oil, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Prepare the chicken pieces by rinsing them under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Set them aside.
Step 2 –In a large bowl add the buttermilk, the eggs, the paprika, the hot sauce, the salt, and the pepper and mix until evenly combined.
Step 3 –Whisk in the baking powder and the baking soda.
Step 4 –Place 2 cups of the flour into a shallow dish.
Step 5 –Dredge one piece of chicken in the flour, coating it on all sides.
Step 6 –Dip it into the buttermilk mixture and make sure it’s fully covered.
Step 7 –Dredge the chicken piece in the flour again, then place it on a plate or rack.
Step 8 –Repeat until all of the chicken is dredged and coated. If the flour gets too dirty or clumpy, throw it out and add more of the fresh flour.
Step 9 –Add at least 1 inch of the oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. It should take about 10-15 minutes.
Step 10 –Once the oil is hot, carefully place a few pieces of the chicken at a time in the skillet using tongs. Do this in batches, making sure the chicken pieces don’t touch each other.
Step 11 –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 other side.
Step 12 –The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, or about 12 to 15 minutes. If the oil level falls below 1 inch, add more of the oil, and allow it to heat up before adding more of the chicken.
Step 13 –Transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up some of the oil.
Step 14 –Cool slightly before serving.
