Description
Spicy Popeyes Copycat Fried Chicken elevates comfort food with Louisiana-style crunch and zesty seasoning. Crispy golden breading and juicy meat promise a delicious homemade version you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Poultry:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on)
Marinade:
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Louisiana hot sauce
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Canola or peanut oil, for frying
Instructions
- Submerge chicken pieces in a zesty buttermilk and Louisiana hot sauce blend, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Allow marinated chicken to rest at ambient temperature for approximately 20 minutes before cooking preparation.
- Create a robust seasoning mixture by combining flour with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, white and black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix ingredients thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- Preheat cooking oil in a deep fryer or large pot to exactly 350°F (175°C), maintaining consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Methodically coat each marinated chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage. Gently shake off excess flour to prevent clumping.
- Gently place coated chicken into hot oil in controlled batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 12-15 minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack, allowing excess oil to drain. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes, enabling juice redistribution and maintaining optimal moisture and flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize the marinade by adding extra spices like thyme or rosemary for a unique flavor profile that elevates the classic Popeyes taste.
- Try alternative buttermilk substitutes like yogurt or plant-based milk for dairy-free or vegan adaptations of the recipe.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee precise internal temperature, ensuring perfectly cooked chicken every single time without guesswork.
- Pat chicken pieces completely dry before marinating to help the flour coating adhere more effectively and create an extra crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg