Print

Chicken Fried Chicken: Crispy Southern Recipe in 7 Easy Steps

Chicken Fried Chicken

This chicken fried chicken features tender, pounded chicken breasts coated in perfectly seasoned breading and fried to crispy golden perfection. Served with creamy, peppery country gravy made from the pan drippings, this Southern comfort food classic delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home.

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 4 chicken breasts, pounded to ½-inch
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Breading:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cayenne
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ½ tsp oregano

Gravy:

  • 3 tbsp frying oil or butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2½ cups whole milk
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Pound chicken breasts to uniform ½-inch thickness
  • Marinate chicken in buttermilk mixture 1-8 hours
  • Mix all breading ingredients; add some marinade to create clumps
  • Remove chicken from buttermilk; coat thoroughly in seasoned flour
  • Let breaded chicken rest 15-20 minutes on wire rack
  • Heat oil to 350°F in heavy skillet
  • Fry chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internal temp
  • Keep warm on wire rack while making gravy
  • Make roux with 3 tbsp oil and flour; gradually whisk in milk
  • Simmer gravy 5-7 minutes until thickened; season generously
  • Serve chicken smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes

Notes

  • Must pound chicken to even ½-inch thickness
  • Buttermilk marinade tenderizes—don’t skip it
  • Rest breaded chicken before frying for better adhesion
  • Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for crispy coating
  • Use wire rack after frying, not paper towels
  • Season gravy generously with black pepper
  • Gravy should be thick enough to coat spoon

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube