Go Back

Homemade Fried Chicken

Recreate the nostalgic flavors of Kentucky Fried Chicken with this crispy and juicy homemade fried chicken recipe, marinated in buttermilk and seasoned to perfection.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Fried Chicken
  • 1 whole whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces) Fresh chicken works best for flavor.
  • 1 cup buttermilk If unavailable, mix milk with vinegar or lemon juice.
  • 1 large egg (beaten) Used in marinade.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Coating mixture.
  • ¼ cup ground paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dry ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon MSG (optional) The seasoning blend will be delicious without it.
  • Vegetable oil For frying.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the chicken into 8 pieces, discarding the carcass.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and beaten egg. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they’re well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.
  3. In another large bowl, mix the flour with all the spices and seasoning.
  4. Preheat your oven to 175°F and prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack.
  5. Heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350°F.
Cooking
  1. Remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk marinade and coat them thoroughly in the flour mixture.
  2. Fry 3–4 pieces at a time for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  3. Once cooked, transfer the fried chicken to the wire rack on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Check the internal temperature of chicken; it should reach 165°F.
  5. Allow fried chicken to rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container. Warm it back up in the oven to retain crispiness. Marinate chicken a day in advance to save time. For juicier chicken, consider brining it in saltwater before soaking in buttermilk.