The Best Juicy Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Crispy, golden chicken fried chicken brings comfort to your dinner table like a warm culinary hug.

Southern kitchens have perfected this classic dish through generations of careful seasoning and technique.

Layers of crunchy breading create an irresistible exterior that crackles with each delightful bite.

Perfectly seasoned flour and buttermilk form the secret foundation of this beloved recipe.

Skilled home cooks understand the magic happens when simple ingredients combine with precise cooking methods.

Salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika unlock deep flavor profiles that make everyone smile.

Grab your skillet and prepare for a meal that connects you with traditional American cooking traditions.

Elevate Your Meal with Chicken Fried Chicken

• Conquer Comfort Food: Classic chicken fried chicken delivers pure comfort with its crispy golden exterior and juicy interior, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite for family dinners.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: This recipe teaches fundamental breading and frying skills that can be applied to multiple protein types, helping home cooks build culinary confidence.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Easily adjust seasonings in the flour mixture to match personal taste preferences, from subtle herbs to bold spices, creating a personalized dining experience.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: With straightforward ingredients and minimal preparation steps, this dish transforms ordinary chicken into a delectable meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy households.

Ingredients to Prepare Chicken Fried Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean protein that serves as the main star of this crispy dish.

• All-Purpose Flour, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A flavorful coating that creates a crunchy exterior and adds robust seasoning to the chicken.

• Eggs, Milk: These binding agents help the flour mixture adhere to the chicken and create a golden, crispy crust.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for frying and helps achieve a perfectly crisp and golden-brown exterior.

• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil after frying to ensure a less greasy final dish.

Chicken Fried Chicken Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and place them between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken until it’s uniformly thin and even.

This helps the chicken cook more consistently and creates a perfect canvas for a crispy coating.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Flour Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir these ingredients until they’re well combined, creating a seasoned coating that will make your chicken irresistible.

Step 3: Whip Up the Wet Dredging Station

• Eggs
• Whole milk

Blend until the mixture is smooth and has a uniform golden color.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Dip each chicken breast into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s completely covered.

Then plunge the floured chicken into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, return the chicken to the flour mixture for a second coating.

This double-dredging technique guarantees an extra crispy exterior.

Step 5: Heat the Cooking Surface

Place a large skillet over medium heat and pour in vegetable oil.

Allow the oil to heat up until it shimmers and looks ready for frying.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully slide the coated chicken into the hot oil.

Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color. The chicken should be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Expert Tips for Crispy Chicken Fried Chicken

• Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender meat.
• Double-dredging creates an extra crispy, golden-brown crust that locks in moisture.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption.
• Let chicken rest on paper towels to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
• Experiment with different spices like cayenne or smoked paprika for added flavor complexity.

Flavorful Twists on Chicken Fried Chicken

• Gluten-Free Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Crispy Chicken: Use crushed pork rinds instead of flour for a keto-friendly coating.
• Buttermilk Southern Style: Swap regular milk with buttermilk for a tangier, more traditional flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Chicken: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the flour mixture for extra aromatic depth.

Serving Chicken Fried Chicken Like a Pro

• Southern Comfort Plate: Pair the crispy chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans for a classic home-style meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Sandwich Sensation: Slice the fried chicken and stack between soft buttermilk biscuits with a drizzle of honey mustard for a delicious lunch option.
• Salad Topper: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place over a fresh mixed greens salad with ranch dressing for a protein-packed light meal.
• Game Day Appetizer: Cut chicken into smaller nugget-style pieces and serve with various dipping sauces like buffalo, ranch, or barbecue for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Best Practices for Storing Chicken Fried Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover chicken fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Place wax paper between chicken pieces to prevent sticking and preserve the crispy coating.
• Avoid leaving the chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great and can be even more flavorful and juicy for this recipe.

• Do I need a meat mallet to flatten the chicken?

A rolling pin, heavy skillet, or even the bottom of a sturdy glass can work perfectly to flatten the chicken evenly.

• How do I know the oil is hot enough for frying?

Drop a small piece of bread into the oil – if it sizzles and turns golden brown within 30-45 seconds, the oil is ready for frying.

• What type of oil is best for frying chicken?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are excellent choices because they have high smoke points and neutral flavors.

Crispy Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy chicken fried chicken from Southern kitchens delivers comfort on a plate. Herb-coated golden breading and juicy meat create a perfect harmony that home cooks will savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Flour and Seasonings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• Oil for frying (approximately 2-3 cups)

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Instructions

1. Gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap until uniformly thin, about 1/4-inch thick.
2. Create a seasoned flour mixture by blending flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Prepare an egg wash by whisking eggs and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth and well combined.
4. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Dip the floured chicken into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off.
6. Return the chicken to the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create a crisp, even coating.
7. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature.
8. Carefully place coated chicken into the hot oil, cooking for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
9. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
10. Let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow coating to set and juices to redistribute.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to about 1/2-inch thickness for consistent cooking and tender texture.
• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten chicken, placing it between plastic wrap to prevent mess and splatter.
• Double-dredging technique creates extra crispy, thick coating that locks in moisture and provides satisfying crunch.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 435 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg