Description
Crispy, juicy, and seasoned just right, this Southern Comfort on a Plate recipe is a golden-fried classic perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. It delivers that deep-fried crunch with tender meat and bold Southern spices—everything you crave in a comforting homemade meal.
Ingredients
2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
1. Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk and hot sauce. Mix, cover, and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mix, pressing to coat well. Let rest 10 minutes.
4. Heat 2 inches of oil in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F.
5. Fry chicken in batches 7–9 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature is 165°F.
6. Transfer to a wire rack to drain and let rest before serving.
Notes
For ultra-crispy chicken, let the dredged pieces rest before frying—this helps the crust set.
Always fry in small batches to avoid temperature drops that cause greasy chicken.
Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature and chicken doneness for consistent results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: fried chicken, Southern comfort food