Savor the homemade delight of crispy, golden Fried Chicken, a dish that's not only easy to make but irresistibly delicious. Perfect for any meal, this recipe brings the flavors of your favorite fast-food chains right to your kitchen. With a blend of classic seasonings, rich buttermilk, and a perfectly crisp breading, you can create a variety of mouth-watering options, from drumsticks to wings.
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Ideal for a family dinner, a casual get-together, or just to satisfy a craving, this Fried Chicken recipe is not just a dish, it's a memorable experience. Keep reading for essential tips to ensure each bite is perfectly crispy and packed with flavor.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
For this Homemade Fried Chicken recipe, you'll need simple, accessible ingredients likely already in your pantry or easily found at your local grocery store. Let's dive into the list of essentials:
Ingredients for Seasoning:
- Chicken: The foundation of the dish. Drumsticks and thighs are often preferred for their juiciness and flavor, but breasts and wings can also be used for variety. Each cut offers a different texture and taste experience.
- Basic Seasoning Powders: These include onion, garlic, ginger, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cumin powder. They infuse the chicken with a depth of flavor, combining spicy, aromatic, and warm notes.
- Hot Sauce: Sriracha or any other hot sauce adds a spicy, tangy kick to the chicken. It's not just about heat; it also contributes a subtle complexity to the overall flavor profile.
- Buttermilk: Acts as a tenderizer, breaking down the proteins in the chicken to make it juicy and succulent. It also adds a slight tanginess, enhancing the overall taste.
Ingredients for Breading:
- Flour and Cornstarch: All-purpose flour provides the base for the breading, while cornstarch helps in achieving that desirable crispiness. When combined, they create a coating that crisps up beautifully when fried.
- Seasoning for Breading Mixture: A mix of paprika, onion, garlic, and black pepper powder, along with dried mixed Italian herbs, is used to season the flour mixture. This not only adds flavor to the crispy coating but also complements the seasoning on the chicken itself.
How to Make Fried Chicken at home?
Begin your culinary adventure with our Homemade Fried Chicken recipe, complete with step-by-step photos and videos. From seasoning to breading and frying, each stage is crafted to guide you towards crispy perfection. Let's start cooking!
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Crispy Fried Chicken
Ingredients
For Marination
- 4 Chicken Drumsticks, skinless or skin on
- 4 Chicken Thighs, skinless or skin on
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ¾ tsp Pepper Powder, black or white pepper
- ¾ tsp Cayenne Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder
- 2 Bay Leaves, crushed
- 3 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- Salt, as needed
For Breading
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder, black or white pepper
- 1 tsp Paprika, or chili powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Mixed Italian Herbs, dried
- ½ tsp Salt
- Oil, for deep frying
Instructions
To Marinate the Chicken
- In a glass bowl, add onion, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, ginger, and cumin powder. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- To the spice mixture, pour in 2 cups of buttermilk. Add sriracha sauce, bay leaves, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Place chicken thighs and drumsticks into the mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
To Prepare Breading Mixture
- In a tray, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and the seasoning powders specified in the ingredients list for breading. Mix everything well and set aside.
- Take the buttermilk-marinated chicken thighs and drumsticks, and coat them evenly in the breading mixture. Ensure all sides are covered and gently shake off any excess flour.
To Fry Chicken
- Pour oil into a deep vessel or fryer and heat it to a temperature of 325°F. Maintain the temperature between 325°F and 350°F throughout the frying process.
- Place the breaded chicken drumsticks and thighs into the oil one at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the chicken for about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping it occasionally for even cooking. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F for safe consumption.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oil. Continue the same process with the remaining breaded pieces.
To Serve
- Pair this Crispy Fried Chicken with french fries, a variety of sauces, fresh salads, or roasted vegetables like green beans, potatoes, and broccoli for a delightful meal.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Seasoning: It's vital for flavor. I recommend using basic seasoning powders, hot sauce, and buttermilk for marinating. Alternatively, an egg mixture can also yield tasty results. Don't compromise on seasoning to ensure a rich flavor.
- Breading: A combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch is ideal for a crispy exterior. For added crunch, consider mixing in breadcrumbs or crushed unsweetened cornflakes with the flour.
- Temperature: The perfect frying temperature is between 325°F and 350°F. Maintaining this range is crucial for a crispy outside and juicy inside. If the oil is too cool, the chicken won't crisp up properly; too hot, and it may burn on the outside while remaining raw inside.
- Internal Temperature: Use a thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches the FDA's recommended safe minimum of 165°F. This guarantees that the chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
- Cooking Time: Average-sized chicken pieces typically take about 12 to 15 minutes to cook, varying with their thickness. Drumsticks and thighs, for example, may require up to 15 minutes. Always check the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it reaches the correct internal temperature.
- Best Oil: I've used canola oil, but vegetable, peanut, safflower, or corn oil are also great options. Oils with high smoke points are preferable for deep frying.
- Best Flour: All-purpose flour and cornstarch together create the ideal crust for fried chicken, providing crispiness and crunch. You can also use cornstarch alone or add breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for an even crisper coating.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.
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Serving Suggestions
This Crispy Fried Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, making it a versatile dish for any meal. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance its flavors:
- Classic Pairings: Enjoy it with French Fries and a selection of dips like chili sauce, buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, ranch, hot sauce, or ketchup for a classic comfort meal.
- Salads: Serve alongside fresh salads for a lighter, balanced meal. The crispiness of the chicken complements the freshness of the greens beautifully.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted green beans, potatoes, broccoli, or a medley of roasted vegetables. The richness of the fried chicken is nicely offset by the earthy flavors of these sides.
These combinations not only offer a delightful taste experience but also add a colorful and nutritious aspect to your meal.
Storage Suggestions
For optimal enjoyment of your Homemade Fried Chicken, it's best to consume it fresh. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored effectively with these guidelines:
- Refrigeration: Keep any leftover fried chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will remain good for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To preserve the chicken's crispiness, reheat it in an oven preheated to 375°F. Avoid using a microwave, as it can make the crust soggy and affect the texture.
By following these storage and reheating suggestions, you can still enjoy the delightful crunch and flavor of your fried chicken even a day or two later.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Vs Regular Fried Chicken
Indeed, there is a subtle yet significant difference between Buttermilk Fried Chicken and regular Fried Chicken, primarily based on the marinating ingredients.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken specifically requires buttermilk in its marination process. This ingredient not only tenderizes the chicken due to its mild acidity but also adds a distinct tangy flavor, contributing to the overall taste profile of the chicken.
Regular Fried Chicken, on the other hand, can be made without buttermilk. Instead, alternatives like eggs and milk can be used for marination. This variation slightly alters the flavor and texture of the chicken.
Although both methods yield delicious results, the choice between buttermilk or eggs and milk will influence the final taste and texture slightly. Buttermilk tends to produce a more tender and flavorful crust, while the egg and milk combination might result in a slightly different crust texture. However, in both cases, you can expect a crispy, flavorful exterior and a juicy interior.
Jerry Greger
Frying chicken for me is therapy. I do it to relax and enjoy memories of my mother's delicious fried chicken. I'm going to try this recipe, thank you.
Sangeetha Vel
Hi Jerry,
That's nice to know. Thanks for sharing! I would love to hear your feedback when you give it a try 🙂