Crispy Fried Chicken

This Crispy Fried Chicken recipe is all about achieving that perfect golden crunch with a juicy, tender inside. With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s the ideal comfort food for any occasion. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this irresistible dish!

5 from 22 votes

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Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crispy coating, Crispy Fried Chicken, easy fried chicken recipe, family-friendly recipe, Fried Chicken, homemade fried chicken, southern fried chicken, Super Crispy Fried Chicken

Cook Time: 15

Brining: 3

Total Time: 3 15

Servings:

Calories: 515kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

3 lbs drumsticks or thighs
4 cups whole milk (or water)
¼ cup salt
8 cloves garlic
2 black peppercorns
3 tbsp bay leaves

For the Seasoning Mix:

2 cups flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
2 cups cornstarch
1 tbsp kosher salt
½ tbsp white pepper
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
½ tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp baking powder

For the Wet Batter:

1 cup seasoning mix
1 cup cold water

Instructions

Brine the Chicken: Pierce the chicken pieces with a knife and brine them in whole milk (or water), salt, garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves for 2-3 hours (or overnight for best results).
Make the Seasoning Mix: In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and baking powder. Whisk it all together.
Create the Wet Batter: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of your seasoning mix with 1 cup of cold water until smooth.
Make Craggily Bits: Spoon some leftover brine into your seasoning mix and rub it together with your hands to create little clumps. These clumps will stick to the chicken and give it that perfect texture!
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the wet batter, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge the chicken in the dry seasoning mix and press it in until it's fully coated. Let the coated chicken rest on a baking sheet while you heat the oil.
Fry the Chicken: Heat your oil to 350°F in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pan. Fry the chicken for 8-12 minutes (depending on size) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it’s cooked through!
Rest & Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then serve it hot and crispy!

Notes

Pro Tips for Perfect Fried Chicken

Brine the Chicken: Brining is optional but highly recommended. The milk helps tenderize the chicken, and the salt draws out excess moisture for a juicier, more flavorful result.
Don’t Skip the Craggily Bits: The crispy little clumps from the seasoning mix add texture and extra flavor to your fried chicken, so don’t skip that step!
Watch the Oil Temperature: If the oil drops below 325°F, your chicken may end up soggy. Fry in batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure your chicken stays crispy.

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