We dare you to resist these crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside recipes. Browse our foolproof fried chicken dishes, from oven-fried to Southern-style.
19 Fried Chicken Recipes We Can’t Get Enough Of
Updated on Aug. 01, 2024
Southern Fried Chicken Strips
What’s not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Got leftovers? Here’s how to reheat fried chicken and keep it crispy.
1/19
2/19
Nashville Hot Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 419 calories, 21g fat (3g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 367mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
Looking for an air fryer? Here’s our Test Kitchen’s favorite brand. Check out these other air-fryer chicken recipes, too.
3/19
Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it’s so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado. Want to make sure there’s fried chicken for every last guest? Learn from the expert how to fry chicken for a crowd.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 87 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
Before you move ahead also try these chicken wing sauce recipes that are simply irresistible!
Craving more country cookin’? Check out these top-notch Southern chicken recipes.
4/19
Cornmeal Oven-Fried Chicken
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cornmeal fried chicken dish perks up the dinner table. Its flavorful cornmeal/bread-crumb coating is a good variation from the usual. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 249 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
5/19
Spicy Fried Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Add a pinch of heat to your favorite fried chicken with this spicy version. Don’t be fooled—this tender chicken’s hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper seasoning might seem mild at first, but it’ll linger in your mouth. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 553 calories, 40g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein.
6/19
Fried Lemon-Pepper Wings
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These lemon-pepper wings are perfect for game day. Try these out if you’ve been stuck in a chicken wing rut. Add grated lemon zest to the butter mixture if you want a more pronounced lemon flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 103 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
7/19
Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom’s favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
For more top-rated ideas, check out these 5-star chicken recipes.
8/19
Oven-Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio. Next, learn how to make oven-fried chicken wings.
Nutrition Facts:
2 chicken drumsticks: 227 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
9/19
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
24 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 307 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
10/19
Fried Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 543 calories, 33g fat (7g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
This recipe reminds us of KFC. Discover more delicious copycat chicken recipes!
11/19
Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 308 calories, 17g fat (1g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
12/19
Crispy Ranch Fried Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's almost impossible to improve crispy fried chicken. A sprinkling of ranch dressing mix in the coating makes it happen, though. The empty-in-seconds serving platter is proof. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
13/19
Chicken Strips
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked chicken: 388 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
14/19
Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Taking a classic and making it oven-ready is what you'll love about this oven-fried chicken thighs recipe. Made with simple everyday ingredients and a crunchy seasoned panko blend, it's less messy and plenty flavorful. The perfect go-to meal! —Kizmet Byrd, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 360 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein.
15/19
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For our family, it's not a picnic unless we have fried chicken! Chicken, deviled eggs and potato salad are all musts for a picnic as far as my husband is concerned. This is a golden oldie recipe for me—I've used it any number of times. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 623 calories, 40g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein.
16/19
Potato Chip Chicken Strips
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This novel recipe is a fast and tasty change from fried chicken.—Sister Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 625 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 664mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
17/19
Savory Mustard Chicken and Stuffing Waffles
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Adding mustard to the chicken coating adds a tang that’s amazing with the savory waffles and sweet maple syrup. —John Ginn, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece chicken with 2 waffles: 691 calories, 43g fat (16g saturated fat), 219mg cholesterol, 1074mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
18/19
Spicy-Good Chicken Wings
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We enjoy eating these chicken wings while watching football on TV, but make them for any special occasion for a crowd favorite! The pepper sauce gives just the right amount of heat.—Della Clutts, New Tazewell, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer (calculated without salad dressing): 225 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 473mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein.
In case, you’re craving wings and don’t have time for making them at home, here are some chicken wings restaurants to try!
19/19
Pigeon River Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a picnic on the Pigeon River, we made chicken marinated in yogurt with a touch of cayenne. It’s delectable warm or cold. —Lib Jicha, Waynesville, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 608 calories, 42g fat (7g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1031mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.
