How to Make Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken - A Step-by-Step Guide

Everyone loves a good fried chicken, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of sinking your teeth into a piece of perfectly crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken. Whether you're serving it up for a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion, a recipe for Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken is a must-have in your culinary repertoire.

There are countless fried chicken recipes out there, but not all of them result in the kind of finger-licking goodness that we all crave. Many recipes...

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Ingredients

  • 3 chicken leg quarters, cut into thighs and drumsticks
  • 2 cups buttermilk, or as needed to cover
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon monosodium glutamate (MSG) (Optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 large egg whites, beaten until foamy
  • 4 cups vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 12 hrs 20 mins
  • Total Time: 13 hrs 10 mins
  • Servings: 3

  • Place chicken thighs and drumsticks in a bowl and pour enough buttermilk over chicken to cover. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, granulated onion, granulated garlic, thyme, paprika, monosodium glutamate, baking powder, and cayenne pepper in a large, wide bowl.
  • Remove chicken from buttermilk and shake off excess; discard buttermilk. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Dip chicken in beaten egg whites, then press in flour mixture to coat. Allow coated chicken to rest on a wire rack for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, fill a cast iron skillet or deep fryer to about 1/3 full of oil and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
  • Fry chicken in hot oil in batches until golden brown, no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear, 8 to 10 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of chicken near the bone should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined tray to drain. Keep fried chicken warm in the preheated oven while frying remaining pieces.
  • Nutrition

    767 cal.

    • Total Fat: 39g
    • Saturated Fat: 9g
    • Cholesterol: 149mg
    • Sodium: 2789mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 47g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 9g
    • Protein: 55g
    • Vitamin C: 3mg
    • Calcium: 254mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 759mg