Here’s a simple, extra-crispy fried chicken recipe 🍗🔥—classic and reliable.
Crispy Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 6–8 pieces chicken (drumsticks/thighs work best)
- 2 cups buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Steps
- Soak chicken:
Cover chicken with buttermilk. Refrigerate 1–8 hours (even 30 minutes helps). - Season flour:
Mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. - Coat:
Lift chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip, then coat well in flour.- Extra crispy: dip back in buttermilk, then flour again.
- Heat oil:
Heat 1½–2 inches oil to 350°F (175°C). - Fry:
Fry in batches 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through (165°F inside). - Rest:
Drain on a rack or paper towels; rest 5 minutes.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—keeps it crispy.
- Low & steady heat prevents burning before the inside cooks.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of cayenne or a little hot sauce to the buttermilk.
Want an air fryer, oven-baked, or spicy Nashville-style version?
