The Best Fried Chicken Recipe
User Reviews
5.0
75 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
15 mins
-
Additional Time
12 hrs
-
Total Time
12 hrs 31 mins
-
Servings
6
-
Calories
614 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
The Best Fried Chicken Recipe
Report
Learn these few steps to make the best fried chicken recipe of all time that is crispy, juicy, and full of delicious flavor.
Share:
Ingredients
For the Brine:
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons coarse salt
- ½ cup white distilled vinegar
- 1 cup ice
- 6 finely grated cloves of garlic
- 1 quart buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 whole roasting chicken cut up into parts
For the Breading:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
Miscellaneous Ingredients:
- 4-5 cups oil for frying
- 1 cup rendered bacon fat for frying
Instructions
- Brine: Add the water, salt, and vinegar to a small size pot and bring it to a boil until the salt has been completely dissolved.
- Immediately remove the brine from the burner and add in a heaping cup of ice cubes. Pour the mixture into a plastic bag along with the garlic, buttermilk, and hot sauce, and whisk to combine.
- Add the chicken parts to the plastic bag with the brine in it and submerge. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Breading: In a bowl or loaf pan, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, and pepper until combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl or loaf pan, drain the buttermilk brine from the chicken into the bowl or pan.
- Next, add a piece of drained brined chicken to the seasoned flour and coat. Pat off any excess flour and submerge iy into the brine coating it. Remove it again and add it back to the seasoned flour and dredge it completely coating it. Set on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or a plate. Repeat the process until all the chicken is breaded.
- Add the oil and bacon fat to a large cast iron skillet and heat to 350°.
- Cook the chicken in batches in the oil, cooking it for 7-8 minutes per side until crispy golden brown and an internal temperature of 165°.
- Drain the chicken on a rack over a sheet tray to collect the dripping oil.
- Serve hot!
Notes
- can keep it warm on a rack over a sheet tray at low temperatures in the oven (200° to 225°) for up to 30 minutes before serving.
- How to Reheat: Add it to a rack over a sheet tray and cook in the oven at 375° for 12 to 15 minutes or until hot. You can also refry the chicken in oil to re-brown and cook through. If frying, do so at 325°. If you microwave it, the breading can become soggy.
- How to Store: Store the fried chicken, once cooled, in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It does not freeze that well because once thawed, the breading can become soggy.
- Another excellent option for the brine would be to use leftover pickle juice.
- The longer the marinade process, the more flavorful and tender the chicken will be.
- Cornstarch swells when being mixed with the hot oil, which makes the little granules of starch separate from each other, which is why it pushes outward from the chicken in layers. During the frying process, these granules lock into place, making the crispy, crunchy outside that is so coveted.
- I only season the cornstarch and flour with paprika, salt, and pepper, but you can also add things such as garlic, onion granules, cayenne, and herbs to help enhance the flavor.
- The hot sauce in the brine is optional.
- Feel free to use whatever pan or pot you have to fry the chicken in.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
614kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Cholesterol
149mg
(50%)
Sodium
673mg
(28%)
Potassium
1059mg
(30%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
820IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
22.2mg
(25%)
Calcium
151mg
(15%)
Iron
7.5mg
(42%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 614 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 614kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 149mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 673mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 1059mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 820IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 22.2mg | 25% |
| Calcium | 151mg | 15% |
| Iron | 7.5mg | 42% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
75 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
The Best Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice (Costco Favorite)
Japanese, American, International
5.0
(3 reviews)
