Description
Succulent Southern-style chicken fried chicken delivers crispy, golden perfection with a crackling breaded exterior and tender meat inside. Home cooks savor this classic comfort dish that brings hearty flavor to family dinner tables across America.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Breading:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Tenderize chicken breasts with a meat mallet until uniformly flat, ensuring consistent cooking and crispy texture.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by thoroughly coating chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, massaging the spices into the meat.
- Prepare two separate stations: one with a whisked mixture of eggs and buttermilk, another with all-purpose flour spread evenly.
- Execute a triple-layer coating technique by first dredging chicken in flour, completely covering the surface, then submerging in the egg-buttermilk mixture, and finally returning to the flour for a dense, crunchy exterior.
- Warm cooking oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, allowing it to reach the optimal temperature for golden-brown frying.
- Carefully place coated chicken into the hot oil, allowing each side to transform into a crisp, amber-colored crust, cooking approximately 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches safe consumption level.
- Remove chicken from oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, ensuring a clean, non-greasy finish.
- Plate immediately while hot, presenting a perfectly crisp, juicy chicken dish ready to be enjoyed.
Notes
- Always pound chicken to about 1/4-inch thickness for even, quick cooking and tender results.
- Double-coating technique ensures a crispy, crunchy exterior that seals in moisture and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption without overcooking.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after frying to help retain juices and maintain maximum crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern (American)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg