Description
Succulent chicken fried chicken brings Southern comfort to dinner tables across America. Crispy golden coating and juicy meat make this classic dish a perfect hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml)
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)
- vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 tbsps butter (28 g)
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (360 ml)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (15 g)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Tenderizing: Gently flatten chicken breasts between plastic wrap to create an uniform thickness. Immerse in a tangy marinade of buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce for 30 minutes to 4 hours to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Seasoning Preparation: Blend flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a dynamic coating mixture. This spice blend will provide a robust and crispy exterior.
- Breading Process: Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage. Let breaded chicken rest momentarily to help coating adhere.
- Frying Technique: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350F. Carefully introduce breaded chicken, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown crust and reaching 165F internal temperature. Transfer to a wire rack for oil drainage.
- Gravy Creation: Melt butter and whisk in flour to form a light roux. Gradually incorporate milk, stirring consistently until gravy reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Serving: Plate the crispy chicken, generously drizzle with creamy gravy. Pair with traditional Southern sides like mashed potatoes or warm biscuits for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- Flatten Evenly: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create uniform thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and crispy texture throughout the chicken breast.
- Marinade Magic: Don’t rush the buttermilk soak – longer marination (up to 4 hours) delivers more tender, flavorful meat with deeper seasoning penetration.
- Oil Temperature Control: Maintain a steady 350F for perfect golden-brown crust without burning. Use a digital thermometer to monitor oil temperature and prevent greasy results.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour, adding extra seasonings to compensate for potential flavor loss and maintain crispy coating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg