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Delicious plate of ultimate crispy fried chicken with golden crust and juicy meat.

Crispy Fried Chicken

This Ultimate Crispy Fried Chicken recipe is quick to prepare, deeply satisfying, and perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 18 minutes
Servings: 4 pieces
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 4 pieces Chicken pieces (legs, wings, breasts) Use skin-on for more flavor and crunch.
  • 2 cups Buttermilk Essential for a juicy chicken.
Coating Mixture
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour Can add 1 tablespoon of baking powder for extra crisp.
  • 0.5 cup Cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
Frying
  • Oil for frying Oil for frying Heat to 350°F (175°C).
Serving
  • 1 cup Creamy sauce (ranch or garlic sauce) Serve alongside the chicken.

Method
 

Marination
  1. Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 2 hours or, if you're feeling fancy, overnight.
Prepare Coating
  1. In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. Coat the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture until they’re fully covered.
Frying
  1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 15–18 minutes.
  3. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with your favorite creamy sauce.

Notes

For leftovers, store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until crispy. Consider adding hot sauce to the marinade for a kick.