There’s nothing quite as delicious as a plateful of succulent country fried chicken. White and dark meat are dredged in an herbaceous, subtly spicy batter, then they’re deep-fried to golden perfection. Sink your teeth into a perfectly fried piece, and enjoy a deeply savory, crunchy crust with juicy, tender chicken meat.
If you’re new to deep-frying, get to know our fried chicken tips so you can deep-fry at home with confidence.
Ingredients for Country Fried Chicken
- Fryer chicken: Fryer chickens (also known as “broiler chickens”) are 3- to 4-pound chickens. Their smaller size makes them perfect for frying. Save money on your grocery bill by learning how to cut a whole chicken, while also having a nice assortment of white and dark meat to choose from.
- Milk: Milk adds flavor to the wet mixture, as well as browning power to the chicken’s crispy crust. Buttermilk also works here as a 1:1 substitution.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour forms the base for the dredging mixture. It helps the chicken form a nice, crispy crust forms once it’s cooked in oil.
- Garlic salt: Salt enhances the flavor of all the ingredients, while garlic creates a pleasant pungency in the flavor profile.
- Black pepper: Pepper creates a sharp, zingy note in this country fried chicken recipe’s blend of spices.
- Paprika: Paprika gives a super-subtle kick of spice, plus a little color for the crust.
- Poultry seasoning: Poultry seasoning typically contains dried sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, nutmeg and onion powder. It’s an herbaceous, bright seasoning.
- Egg: An egg acts as a binder to help the dry ingredients stick to the chicken.
- Oil: Peanut oil and avocado oil are some of the best oils for frying due to their high smoke point (and delicious taste). Canola oil is another great option if you are looking for a flavorless oil.
Directions
Step 1: Create the wet and dry mixtures
In a resealable container, whisk the flour, garlic salt, pepper, paprika and poultry seasoning. In a shallow bowl, beat the egg and milk until well combined.
Step 2: Coat the chicken
Dip the chicken pieces into the wet mixture in the shallow bowl, and then place them in the container with the dry ingredients. Place the lid on the container, and shake the container to coat the chicken evenly.
Editor’s Tip: Repeat this process once more if you want the cooked chicken to have an extra-crispy breading.
Step 3: Deep-fry the chicken
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1/4 inch of oil to 375°F. Fry the chicken, a few pieces at a time, until the chicken is golden brown and the juices run clear, 7 to 10 minutes on each side. Place the finished chicken on a paper plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Editor’s Tip: Use a thermometer to get the most accurate reading of your oil’s temperature and chicken’s internal temperature. According to our deep-frying temperature chart, chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°.
Country Fried Chicken Variations
- Marinate the chicken: Before you dredge the raw chicken pieces, place them in a bowl of buttermilk overnight in the fridge. Buttermilk’s acidity tenderizes the chicken while adding moisture and flavor.
- Spice up the breading: Add a few more spices of your choosing (like chili powder or cumin) to the dry mixture, or make our Cajun country fried chicken for a spicy flavor boost.
- Reduce the oil: Instead of deep-frying the chicken, try spritzing the chicken pieces with a little bit of oil and baking the chicken instead, just as we do in our oven-fried chicken drumsticks.
How to Store Country Fried Chicken
To store in the refrigerator, let the fried chicken cool to room temperature. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined airtight container. The cooked chicken can last in the fridge for up to three days.
To freeze, let the leftover chicken cool to room temperature, then line the chicken on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for an hour to flash freeze, then transfer the chicken to a resealable bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
To reheat fried chicken from the fridge, let the chicken stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat an air fryer to 350°F or a toaster or oven to 400°F. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, around five minutes in the air fryer or 15 minutes in the oven. To reheat frozen fried chicken, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight, then follow the reheating steps above.
Country Fried Chicken Tips
Can you use buttermilk instead of regular milk to make country fried chicken?
Yes, you can use buttermilk instead of regular milk to make country fried chicken. Replace the milk with buttermilk for a 1:1 substitute.
What do you serve with country fried chicken?
The best dish to serve with country fried chicken is white gravy, also known as “country gravy.” To make white gravy, melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Slowly stream in the milk while whisking, bringing it to a boil and cooking the gravy for a minute or two so the sauce thickens.
The best side dishes for fried chicken range from crunchy and bright to warm and savory. For a fresh salad side, try our cherry tomato salad, barley corn salad or vibrant black-eyed pea salad. If you want something more comforting, you can’t go wrong with our creamy macaroni and cheese, bacon collard greens and mom’s buttermilk biscuits.
