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Crispy Fried Chicken

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Soul Food 🇺🇸Southern Recipes 🇺🇸American High-Protein 💪Low-CarbLow-SodiumSugar-FreeCarnivore 🥩Halal 🕌Comfort-FoodKeto 🥩

Crispy Fried Chicken delivers a shattering, well-seasoned crust around juicy, tender meat, thanks to a buttermilk dip and paprika-spiked flour. It’s the kind of golden, crunchy fried chicken perfect for weekend dinners, picnics, or game days, with a satisfying balance of spice, salt, and rich fried flavor.

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook35 mins
  • Serves8
  • DifficultyMedium
Crispy Fried Chicken
  1. 1

    Skin the cut-up chicken pieces if you prefer.

  2. 2

    Place flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking determine how much flour to use). Season the flour with paprika (which helps brown the chicken), salt, and black pepper.

  3. 3

    Dip the chicken pieces in buttermilk, then transfer a few at a time to the bag with flour; seal the bag and shake until well coated. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

  4. 4

    Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet or tray; cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. Let sit until the flour becomes a paste-like consistency. This is crucial!

  5. 5

    Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until very hot.

  6. 6

    Carefully lower as many chicken pieces into the skillet as it can hold. Fry in hot oil on both sides until browned.

  7. 7

    When browned, reduce the heat and cover the skillet; cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove the cover, raise the heat again, and continue frying until crispy.

  8. 8

    Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may need to fry in a few batches. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while frying the rest.