Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe (BEST EVER!)

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE is the best buttermilk chicken you will ever sink your teeth into. Fried Chicken can be tricky, but we have broken it down to the PERFECT easy recipe anyone can make. This Fried Chicken Recipe will become the favorite chicken of your life! Buttermilk Fried Chicken is a recipe everyone needs to know how to make. Your family will thank you!

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Buttermilk Fried Chicken is one of the BEST FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES I’ve ever tried. I think everyone should know how to make amazing fried chicken, even if it’s just once in life. Once you try this BEST EVER BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN recipe, you’ll be hooked.

Even though Fried Chicken is a bit time consuming, it’s SO worth it, and I know you’ll want to make it for your family again and again. You can wow your family with all your skills!

Best Fried Chicken Recipe

It’s a bit of work. But like I said before, so worth it. My mom came over to help me with this first ever batch of fried chicken (can you believe that? I’m 34!!), and it was so fun to learn from her. She’s a master in the kitchen, and I’m very lucky to have her as a resource.

Fried Chicken worth the work

To say Pat was excited about this recipe would be an understatement! There’s nothing quite like perfect fried chicken. I just can’t wait for you to try this recipe!! Next stop, slathering it in buffalo sauce and making the best sandwich ever. Stay tuned!

FREE CHICKEN EBOOK

The Cookie Rookie is practically famous for amazing Chicken Recipes, mostly due to this Buttermilk Fried Chicken. We have so many other chicken favorites that I hope you check out, and even have a FREE EBOOK for subscribers (click to find out more). I’m here for all your easy chicken recipes needs!

How long do you soak the chicken in buttermilk before frying?

Traditionally, you would soak the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, but we have added a brining process to this fried chicken. We brine the chicken first, then dip in buttermilk before frying. Get ready for the juiciest Fried Chicken EVER!

Why do you soak the chicken in buttermilk?

It’s been proven (by all those food scientists that are much smarter than me) that chicken is plain old better when soaked in lactic acid before cooking. Buttermilk is one way to do that. The result is the juiciest and most flavorful fried chicken you’ll ever eat!

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk to soak the chicken?

You can! The result isn’t quite the same, but it will work in a pinch. See below how to make your own buttermilk using milk! :)

Can I make my own buttermilk to use in this Buttermilk Fried Chicken?

YOU CAN! And it’s simple. Simply stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 cup plain milk to make your own buttermilk. Easy peasy!

Pair this Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe with some of our favorite side dishes such as Parmesan Crusted Potato Wedges, Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes, Farro Salad, Baked Sweet Potato Chips, Mashed Cauliflower, or Chopped Caprese Salad. YUM.

Watch the VIDEO or see the recipe card below for full details on How to make Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Enjoy!

If you love this BEST EVER Fried Chicken Recipe, be sure to check out our other favorite Chicken Breast Recipes!

• Oven Fried Chicken
• Chicken Tacos
• Basil Cream Chicken
• Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
• Spinach Dip Stuffed Chicken
• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• 40 Clove Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
• Chicken Fried Steak
• Easy Roast Chicken Recipe
• Lemon Chicken Piccata 

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buttermilk fried chicken, fried chicken

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Brining: 9 hours

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 8

Calories: 479kcal

Author: Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE is the best buttermilk chicken you will ever sink your teeth into. Fried Chicken can be tricky, but we have broken it down to the PERFECT easy recipe anyone can make. This Fried Chicken Recipe will become the favorite chicken of your life! Buttermilk Fried Chicken is a recipe everyone needs to know how to make. Your family will thank you!

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Ingredients

!For the Brine:

• 8 cups cold water
• ½ cup kosher salt
• 1 lemon grated zest & sliced
• 6 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• ¼ cup Flat Leaf Parsley Italian parsley
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 head garlic skin left on and cloves smashed

!For Frying the Chicken:

• 10 pieces chicken skin-on and bone-in (whole breast cut in-half)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tablespoons garlic powder
• 1½ tablespoons onion powder
• 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 10 cups Peanut Oil

Instructions

!For the Brine:

• Place all brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute or until the salt dissolves, then chill completely.
• When the mixture has chilled, add the chicken pieces and brine for 8 hours. Do NOT brine more than 8 hours or the chicken could be too salty.
• After 8 hours, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate and pat completely dry with other paper towels. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 1 hour before deep frying and while prepping to cook.

!For Frying the Chicken:

• Mix together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper. Divide the flour mixture into 2 bowls.
• Place the buttermilk in a third bowl and set it between the bowls with the flour mixture.
• Preheat the oil, in a large Dutch oven, to 330 degrees F. Immediately before frying, dip the chicken legs and thighs (dark meat) into the flour mixture, the buttermilk and then the 2nd flour mixture. Fry 10-13 minutes until golden brown, and the internal temperature is 175-180 degrees F. (The temperature of the oil will decrease so adjust the heat to keep the oil at 325.) Place only 3-4 chicken pieces in the pot – do NOT overcrowd the pot. The chicken will be cooked in batches. When chicken is cooked through, transfer it (skin-side up) to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
• Repeat the process with the wings and breasts (white meat). Fry 7 minutes (depending on the size of the breasts) until internal temperature is 170 degrees F. Transfer the chicken to a cooling rack and sprinkle it lightly with coarse salt.
• While the chicken rests, add the herb sprigs to the hot oil and cook until crisp. Serve the chicken on a large tray and garnish it with crisp herbs.
• Per Thomas Keller (and me), ENJOY the best fried chicken of your life!

Video

Notes

*NOTE: For best result, if buying a whole fryer chicken, buy one smaller than 4 lbs to ensure the pieces don’t get too brown before cooking through.

Nutrition

Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 7494mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 14.6% | Vitamin C: 14.7% | Calcium: 17.3% | Iron: 13.2%