🍗 Southern Fried Chicken Batter
A good Southern-style fried chicken batter is all about a flavorful coating that fries up crispy and golden.
🧾 Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 kg (2 lbs) chicken pieces
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the batter/coating:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- Marinate the chicken
- Mix chicken with buttermilk, salt, and pepper.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
- Prepare the coating
- Combine flour, cornstarch, and all seasonings in a large bowl.
- Coat the chicken
- Remove chicken from the buttermilk.
- Dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- For extra crunch, dip back into buttermilk and coat again.
- Rest the coated chicken
- Let it sit for 10–15 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick.
- Fry
- Heat oil to about 175°C (350°F).
- Fry in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 12–15 minutes depending on the pieces.
- Drain on a wire rack.
🔥 Tips
- Cornstarch helps create a crispier crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Let the chicken rest after coating for better adhesion.
- Use a thermometer if possible to keep the oil temperature steady.
🍽️ Serve With
- Mashed potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Biscuits
- Mac and cheese
The result is crispy, juicy Southern fried chicken with a well-seasoned crust and tender meat inside. 😋🍗
