With its golden-brown exterior and juicy, tender interior, this southern fried chicken captures the essence of Southern cuisine in every bite.
Craving some down-home comfort food that tantalizes your taste buds and soothes your soul? Look no further than this recipe for Super Easy and Crispy Southern Fried Chicken. With its golden-brown exterior and juicy, tender interior, this dish captures the essence of Southern cuisine in every bite.
What makes this recipe stand out is its simplicity. You don’t need much experience in the kitchen to whip up a batch of this finger-licking goodness. Just a few basic ingredients, a dutch pot, and a hearty appetite are all you need to get started.
To begin, gather your ingredients: chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks and wings), all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, sazon and vegetable oil for frying. Plus a few eggs and a splash of ice cold water. The key to achieving that irresistible crispiness lies in the seasoning and the double dredging method. A generous blend of spices adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall taste of the chicken.
Next, dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated. This step creates a flavorful crust that crisps up beautifully when fried. Next, dip in the egg mixture and then back in the flour mixture. Allow chicken pieces to rest for 15 minutes then fry. Heat vegetable oil in a dutch pot filled at least half way with oil. The amount of oil will depend on how deep your pot is. Heat oil until it reaches the perfect frying temperature – around 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally for even cooking. About 10-12 minutes per batch. Be sure to use a thermometer to monitor perfect internal temperature.
As the chicken sizzles in the dutch pot, the aroma of spices fills the air, whetting your appetite and evoking memories of family gatherings and Sunday dinners. There’s something undeniably comforting about the sound of chicken frying to perfection – it’s the sound of home.
Once the chicken reaches a glorious golden hue and the internal temperature registers above 165°F (75°C), remove it from the skillet and let it drain on a wire rack. Resist the temptation to dig in right away (if you can!) – allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes ensures that each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
Southern Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 12 pieces of dark meat bone in chicken with skin on
To season chicken
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Sazon
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- Kosher salt to taste about 1tsp per pound of chicken
To season flour
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp Sazon
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
To fry chicken
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup ice cold water
- 1 tbsp chipotle Tabasco hot sauce
To Fry Chicken
- 2-3 cups of vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine seasoning blend and season chicken and marinate for at least 15 minutes
- in a another bowl, combine eggs, hot sauce and water, whisk well to combine
- In another bowl, combine flour with baking powder and spices and whisk well to combine
- Coat chicken in flour then egg then back in flour, shaking off any excess
- Allow chicken to rest on a lined baking tray for at least 15 minutes
- Heat vegetable oil in a dutch pot and fry chicken in small batches for at least 10-12 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear
- Finish chicken with flaky sea salt while hot
- Allow chicken to rest on a wire rack fresh out of the oil
- Cool and enjoy
Serve your Super Easy and Crispy Southern Fried Chicken alongside your favorite sides – whether it’s creamy mashed potatoes or my Southern mac and cheese and collard greens. With this recipe in your repertoire, satisfying your cravings for soulful comfort food has never been easier – or more delicious.
Adapted from Toni of The Moody Foody
