How to Make Chef John's Buttermilk Fried Chicken - A Step-by-Step Guide

Crispy, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying, Buttermilk Fried Chicken is a southern classic that never goes out of style. With its golden brown exterior and juicy, flavorful meat, it's no wonder this dish has become a staple in American cuisine.

Today, I'm going to share with you my personal recipe for Chef John's Buttermilk Fried Chicken. With a few simple ingredients and some tender loving care, you can easily recreate this delectable dish in the comfort of your own home.

First thin...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (3 1/2) pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried sage
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 ½ quarts peanut oil for frying

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
  • Total Time: 6 hrs 50 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 8 pieces

  • Toss chicken pieces, black pepper, salt, paprika, white pepper, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and cayenne together in a large bowl.
  • Stir in buttermilk until chicken is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.
  • Combine flour, salt, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, white pepper, and onion powder in a large shallow dish.
  • Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge each piece in seasoned flour; shake off any excess and transfer to a plate.
  • Heat peanut oil in a large Dutch oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Add chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry for 10 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and fry for another 10 to 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  • Transfer fried chicken to a cooling rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Nutrition

    1262 cal.

    • Total Fat: 85g
    • Saturated Fat: 16g
    • Cholesterol: 179mg
    • Sodium: 1443mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 56g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 66g
    • Vitamin C: 3mg
    • Calcium: 193mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 666mg