Crispy Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Marinade
A simple and easy recipe for crispy fried chicken marinated in buttermilk, resulting in juicy, tender meat with a perfectly seasoned crunchy crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 4 hours to overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes to overnight plus 15 minutes cooking
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt for seasoning marinade and flour coating
- About 4 cups vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil)
- Optional: pinch of dried thyme or oregano in flour mix
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces with 2 cups buttermilk and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- In a shallow dish, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well.
- Pour about 4 cups vegetable oil into a heavy skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat until oil reaches 325°F–350°F. Use a thermometer to check.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in seasoned flour, pressing lightly to help it stick. Shake off extra flour.
- Fry chicken in batches without overcrowding for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil and keep crust crisp.
- Let chicken rest a few minutes before serving. If crust softens, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to crisp up.
Notes
Maintain oil temperature between 325°F and 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt crust. Do not overcrowd pan. Pat chicken dry before dredging. Let marinated chicken come to room temperature before frying. Season the flour coating for best flavor. Reheat in oven to restore crispiness if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 piece (150g)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 25
Keywords: fried chicken, buttermilk marinade, crispy chicken, comfort food, easy recipe, chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks