There’s something incredibly comforting about a plate of crispy, golden chicken fried chicken that hits all the right notes. The first bite takes you on a journey, with the crunch echoing in your ears and the juicy, tender meat melting in your mouth. It’s like a warm hug from Grandma, but with a lot more grease and flavor. You can almost hear the angels sing when you dip it into creamy gravy, creating a symphony of taste that makes your taste buds dance with joy.
This chicken fried chicken recipe is not just food; it’s an experience. It reminds me of family gatherings, where laughter fills the air, and everyone fights over who gets the last piece. Whether it’s Sunday dinner or a Friday night celebration, this dish brings people together. Get ready for a delicious ride filled with crispy textures and savory flavors that will have your friends begging for seconds.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This chicken fried chicken recipe is simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for special occasions
- The crunchy exterior and juicy interior create a perfect balance of textures
- Drizzled with homemade gravy, it’s comfort food at its finest
- Serve it with sides like mashed potatoes or coleslaw for a complete meal experience
I still remember the first time I made this dish for my friends; they couldn’t stop raving about it!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Use about 3-4 breasts to satisfy any hungry crowd while ensuring even cooking.
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Buttermilk: The secret ingredient! It tenderizes the chicken beautifully and adds rich flavor.
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All-Purpose Flour: Essential for that crispy coating; sifted flour ensures a light texture.
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Seasoned Salt: A blend of salt and spices elevates the flavor profile; feel free to adjust to taste.
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Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and lovely color to your chicken’s crust.
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Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper adds warmth; don’t skimp on this!
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Vegetable Oil: For frying; ensure you have enough oil to submerge the chicken halfway.
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Milk or Cream Gravy: Homemade gravy takes this dish over the top; it’s all about that velvety finish!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Prepare Your Chicken: Start by soaking boneless skinless chicken breasts in buttermilk for at least one hour. This marination infuses flavor while tenderizing the meat beautifully.
Set Up Your Dredging Station: In one bowl, combine flour, seasoned salt, paprika, and black pepper. In another bowl, pour out some buttermilk for dipping. Keep everything within arm’s reach to streamline the dredging process.
Dredge Your Chicken: Remove each piece from buttermilk and let excess drip off before coating it evenly in the seasoned flour mixture. Press gently to ensure adherence for maximum crispiness when frying.
Heat The Oil: In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to reach around half an inch deep and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Fry Until Golden Brown: Carefully place dredged chicken into hot oil without overcrowding. Fry each side until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Make The Gravy: Once all pieces are fried and resting on paper towels to drain excess oil, use leftover drippings in the skillet to create gravy by whisking in flour and milk until thickened—season as desired.
Serve It Up: Plate your golden fried chicken next to creamy gravy while garnishing with fresh parsley if you like! Pair with sides like mashed potatoes or coleslaw for an unforgettable meal experience.
In no time at all, you’ll have created a dish that’s sure to impress anyone lucky enough to share it with you! Enjoy every crunchy bite of your homemade chicken fried chicken!
You Must Know
- This chicken fried chicken recipe brings comfort food to a new level
- The crispy coating and juicy meat create a mouthwatering experience that’s hard to resist
- Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, your loved ones will rave about this dish!
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk for at least one hour. While marinating, prepare your dry coating mix. Heat the oil and fry until golden brown.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to add spices like paprika or cayenne for extra flavor. You can also swap out the flour for a gluten-free alternative if needed.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until crispy again, about 15 minutes.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To achieve a perfect crust, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying
- This ensures even cooking and prevents sogginess
- Always let fried chicken rest on a wire rack to maintain its crispiness
- Don’t skimp on seasoning; it makes all the difference!
Sharing my first attempt at this chicken fried chicken recipe remains unforgettable; my friends couldn’t stop talking about how delicious it was!
FAQ
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, boneless chicken works great but adjust cooking time accordingly for tenderness.
What should I serve with chicken fried chicken?
Mashed potatoes and green beans make excellent side dishes to complement the meal.
How can I make the coating spicier?
Add more cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade for extra kick.
Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Chicken Fried Chicken recipe! Each bite delivers a perfect crunch, followed by juicy, tender chicken enveloped in savory homemade gravy. This dish is ideal for family gatherings or cozy dinners, guaranteed to impress your loved ones. Prepare to create something memorable that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup milk or cream (for gravy)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least one hour.
- Prepare a dredging station by combining flour, seasoned salt, paprika, and black pepper in one bowl, then pour some buttermilk into another.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip off, and coat evenly with the flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Fry chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- For gravy, use drippings from the skillet; whisk in flour and milk until thickened.
- Serve with gravy and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Adjust seasoning to your taste by adding cayenne for extra spice or swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes to regain crispiness.