Country Fried Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
348 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Country Fried Chicken
Description
This recipe begins with pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness and marinating them in a mixture of buttermilk, eggs, and salt. The buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the meat and adds subtle tang. The chicken is then dredged in a dry mix of all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, ensuring a flavorful crust.
The chicken pieces are fried in vegetable oil heated to 350°F until both sides are browned and cooked through. Using a cast iron skillet is recommended for even heat distribution. The result is crispy, well-seasoned fried chicken breasts with a juicy center.
Buttermilk substitutions are possible using milk mixed with vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, or sour cream, which can be helpful if buttermilk is not available. This dish pairs well with classic sides such as mashed potatoes, biscuits, or green beans.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
Buttermilk Marinade
- 2 cups buttermilk see notes for substitutions
- 2 egg whisked, large
- 3 teaspoons salt
Breading
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian
- 2 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Prep Work
- Cover each chicken breast with saran wrap. Use a meat tenderizer and pound the chicken flat, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Pat the chicken completely dry. Combine the whisked eggs, salt, and buttermilk. Add the chicken and marinade for 1-2 hours, (or overnight). The longer it marinades, the more tender it will be.
- Let the chicken sit out for 25-30 minutes at room temperature before frying.
Cooking Instructions
- Transfer the marinated chicken to the breading mix. Flip it over several times and work the breading into all of the little nooks and crannies until it's completely dry and coated.
- *Don't bread all of the chicken at once. Prepare each piece right before you're ready to fry it.
- Add enough oil to a skillet to cover the chicken by half and heat it to 350°. Use a cast iron skillet if possible as it conducts heat the best for frying.
- Carefully add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, once the outside edges begin to brown up nicely, carefully flip with a thin spatula
- Once browned on each side, carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow excess oil to drip out from the bottom. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy.
- Repeat for all chicken breasts and serve with cornbread, mashed potatoes and chicken gravy or brown gravy!
Notes
- Substitute buttermilk with a mixture of milk and an acid like vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, or sour cream if needed; let it sit to curdle before using.
- Allow marinated chicken to sit at room temperature 25-30 minutes before frying for even cooking.
- Use a cast iron skillet for frying to promote even heat and a crispy crust.
- This chicken pairs well with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or vegetable sides like green beans and roasted carrots.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 348kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 555mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 460mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 190IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 34mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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