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Southern Fried Chicken

Buttermilk-soaked chicken pieces dredged in seasoned flour and fried until deeply golden and crackling on the outside, juicy inside.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 25 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Deep South KitchenCategory
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Southern Fried Chicken

Southern fried chicken is the undisputed king of the Southern table — chicken soaked in seasoned buttermilk, dredged in well-seasoned flour, and fried until the crust is craggy, golden, and shatteringly crisp. It’s the dish that defines Sunday dinners and church picnics.

Chef Emily presents Southern Fried Chicken

The king of the Southern table

Buttermilk-soaked chicken with a craggy, golden, perfectly seasoned crust — Southern fried chicken, the classic.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Whisk the buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and hot sauce. Submerge the chicken and refrigerate at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
  2. Mix the flour with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, baking powder, and the remaining salt and pepper.
  3. Dredge the chicken in the flour, pressing to adhere. Rest on a rack 15 minutes.
  4. Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry the chicken in batches 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until deep golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C). Drain on a rack.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Rest the breaded chicken 15 minutes before frying so the crust adheres. Keep the oil steady around 350°F (175°C) and don't crowd the pan.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook25 min
Servings6
CategoryDeep South Kitchen
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →