Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Learn the simple tips on how to make chicken that’s moist and juicy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside!
Fried Chicken is my idea of ultimate comfort food, especially when served with amazing sides such as my garlicky mashed potatoes and peanut coleslaw.
Yet for a remarkably simple dish, fried chicken is easy to mess up. We’ve all had our fair share of dried out meat and over greasy breading but fret no more, friends! With this recipe, you’ll be sinking your teeth into the crispiest and juiciest fried chicken ever in no time and every time!
Tips on How to Make Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken:
- Marinate the chicken in a buttermilk brine to tenderize the meat and infuse flavor.
- For extra crispy breading, double coat the chicken in seasoned flour.
- Deep-fry at the optimal 350 F temperature. Too high and the outside will burn before the inside is cooked through. Too low and the chicken will absorb a lot more grease. Use a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.
- Fry in batches as needed and make sure to heat back the oil to 350 F before frying the next batch.
- Use oil with high smoke points such as peanut or canola oil.
- To keep the oil nice and clean during deep-frying, fish out any stray bits of flour in the oil that will otherwise burn.
- Finish off the chicken in the oven for about 7 to 10 minutes so the chicken fully cooks without the burning the breading.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds whole chicken, cut into serving parts
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 shallots, peeled and sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, rosemary, shallots, garlic, kosher salt, and sugar.
- Add chicken and stir to fully coat. Allow to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Working with one piece at a time, remove chicken from buttermilk and shake off excess liquid.
- Add to flour mixture and turn to coat evenly.
- Shake off excess flour and dip the chicken in buttermilk.
- Add again to flour mixture to fully coat.
- In a thick-bottomed Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet, heat oil to 350 F.
- Gently add chicken and deep-fry, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. DO NOT overcrowd the skillet, fry in batches as needed.
- Remove chicken from the skillet and arrange in a single layer on a baking rack set onto a baking pan. Sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.
- Bake in a 350 F oven for about 8 t 10 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165 F. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Douglas says
A question on the actual amount of oil for frying. Shows one tablespoon, can’t be enough???
Joseph M Williams says
3 tablespoons of buttermilk only for all that chicken?
Lalaine says
I am sorry about that. Not sure why my recipe card is showing tablespoons, it’s supposed to be 2 cups. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
caroline says
looks delicious. is the amount of buttermilk correct? sounds like it wouldn’t be enough for double dipping chicken pieces especially when coated with flour. would like to try but want to be sure about amounts of the ingredients.
Nicole flint says
This looks so delicious! Fried chicken is my favorite but only on cheat days!
Lalaine says
Thanks, Nicole. On cheat days, make sure to really indulge on these:)
Debby says
I love fried chicken but do not make it at home due to a huge mess and I always end up with greasier food than necessary. But I am very interested in trying the side dish of garlic mashed potatoes.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Debbie! The mashed potato sides is equally delicious:)