Real Southern Fried Chicken

Name: Real Southern Fried Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: Comfort Food Dinner Recipes, Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients: 3 cups buttermilk, divided; 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided; 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up; Oil for deep-fat frying; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika

As a Yankee originally from Vermont, I didn't know one fried chicken from another. They all seemed pretty much the same to me. Tasting the Southern version opened my eyes! A side of hot biscuits served with butter and honey is practically mandatory. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Ingredients

3 cups buttermilk, divided
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
Oil for deep-fat frying
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions

In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 cups buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken; turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Meanwhile, place remaining buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and remaining salt and pepper. Place half of flour mixture in another shallow bowl (for a second coat of breading). Drain chicken, discarding marinade; pat chicken dry. Dip in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in buttermilk, allowing excess to drain off. For the second coat of breading, dip chicken in remaining flour mixture, patting to help coating adhere.
Fry chicken, a few pieces at a time, 4-5 minutes on each side or until browned and juices run clear. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 580 calories, 39g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.

Reviews

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

Cindy

Dec 3, 2019

I've been making fried chicken for well over 50 years, and never once have I used a deep fryer or an electric skillet. Any G.R.I.T.S. (Girl raised in the South) knows the key is a cast iron skillet, and the older the better. I agree with Shelby on the double dipping, and I do brine mine for a couple of hours in a saltwater/brown sugar mixture. For seasoning in the egg/milk mix I use salt, fresh ground pepper, a smidge of onion, and garlic powder and the same in my flour. Of course I'm of the opinion that seasoning is an individual person's preference, and I have been known to even throw in a little chipotle pepper from time to time.
Shelby

Dec 16, 2018

Usually I can count on Taste of Home to provide good quality recipes. Speaking as a true Southerner, this is not "Real Southern Fried Chicken". I did half a batch in a deep fryer and the other half on the stove. There was not a good crunch to the chicken, the spices are almost non-existent and the time recommended on each side is inaccurate. Any southerner knows it takes a minimum of 15 minutes to cook an average chicken. I am not sure if anyone tried this before posting, but it really is not a good recipe (I'm sorry for being brutally honest, but just don't want anyone to try it as is). I usually double dip mine in milk, so thought I'd try the buttermilk. I used peanut oil, which makes the best chicken.