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Thin fillets of chicken are marinated in a tangy and spicy buttermilk mixture, then are dipped in seasoned flour to create this Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Fried to perfection on the stovetop, this southern-style fried chicken is crispy, comforting, and bursting with flavor!
Fried chicken can be an intimidating dish for novice chefs but trust me when I say that this buttermilk fried chicken is as easy as it gets! Not to mention it’s a dish that’s well worth the little bit of extra effort. As long as you make sure that the oil is hot enough, you’ll get perfectly crispy and juicy pieces of chicken every single time!
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Serve these golden chicken fillets with your favorite southern side dishes as a classic dinner or with a variety of dipping sauces as an appetizer. There is something about the flaky exterior, yet tender and juicy interior of this chicken that is irresistible. One bite of this easy and quick buttermilk fried chicken and you will want to make it weekly!
We Love This Recipe Because It’s…
- Made with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
- Crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside!
- Quick to make and is the perfect comfort food.
- Delicious when served with any number of side dishes, making it an easy and satisfying dinner.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts—Cut in half or pounded out thin.
- Buttermilk—Keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
- All-Purpose Flour—Creates a crispy breading for this chicken. You can also use gluten-free flour!
- Spices—A classic southern mix of paprika, salt, and garlic powder.
- Vegetable oil—For frying.
How to Make the Best Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and half of the paprika, salt, and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken to your buttermilk mixture and allow it to marinate.
- Heat 3-4 inches of the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- While the oil is heating, whisk together the flour and remaining spices in a large bowl.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the flour mixture and gently add them to the oil.
- Cook the chicken on each side until golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Buttermilk is the perfect ingredient to use when frying chicken because of its slight acidity, which allows the chicken to tenderize while remaining juicy. It also adds a nice tangy flavor to your finished fried chicken.
This happens when the chicken absorbs too much oil during the frying process. To prevent this, make sure the oil is hot enough when you start frying the chicken. The ideal temperature is around 350°F or slightly above. If a wooden spoon bubbles when you dip it in the vegetable oil, then it’s hot enough to fry up some crispy buttermilk fried chicken!
Due to their high smoke points and neutral tastes, the best oils for frying chicken are vegetable oil, canola oil, and peanut oil. If you are wanting a healthier option, you can try using coconut oil or avocado oil.
Although this southern buttermilk fried chicken has the best flavor and texture when it’s fresh, you can still store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Once you are ready to enjoy this dish again, reheat your chicken in an air fryer for about 6 minutes at 370°F.
What Goes Well with Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken?
There’s nothing more comforting than a plate full of crispy buttermilk fried chicken, so I like to make sure that I pair it with classic southern side dishes. You’ll often find me pairing this homemade fried chicken with some mashed potatoes, french fries, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and steamed green beans. You can even serve this juicy chicken on top of waffles with a drizzle of maple syrup. Also keep in mind that this chicken pairs well with a variety of sauces! Ketchup, ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey dijon mustard are great options.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Check with a meat thermometer that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
- You can add any other spices that you would like to your chicken! Try adding Italian seasoning mix, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or tabasco sauce.
- Letting the chicken marinate while the oil heats allows the meat to soak up the flavor of the buttermilk and spices. This will help the chicken become more tender and juicier!
More Recipes
If you’ve tried this Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut each piece of chicken in half vertically so you have four large pieces of chicken. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and half of each spice. Add your chicken and allow it to sit while you heat your oil in a large pot over medium heat. Make sure you have at least 3-4 inches of oil in your pot.
- While the oil is heating, whisk together the flour and remaining spices in a large bowl.
- Once the oil has reached a temperature of about 350°F, dip each piece of chicken in the flour mixture and gently add them to the oil. Cook for about 7 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Check to make sure that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Before serving.
- Letting the chicken sit while the oil heats allows the meat to soak up the flavor of the buttermilk and spices. This also makes the chicken juicier.
- We like to serve our buttermilk fried chicken with waffles, a side of fries, some steamed veggies, or mashed potatoes.
- You can store your leftover chicken for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat your chicken in an air fryer for about 6 minutes at 370° for a crispy exterior.
- Other spices you can add to your chicken include a nice Italian seasoning mix, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or tabasco sauce.
Nutrition
Crispy buttermilk fried chicken is a dish that takes a little bit of effort but has a huge payout. It tastes delicious and is a fun change from the everyday ways to prepare chicken. I think you are going to love it.
