Spicy Southern Fried Chicken
Get ready to savor the bold flavors of Spicy Southern Fried Chicken, a classic comfort food with a fiery twist! This recipe combines tender chicken soaked in a tangy buttermilk and hot sauce marinade with a perfectly spiced flour coating featuring paprika, cayenne, and fragrant dried thyme. The result is a golden-brown, ultra-crispy crust that locks in the juiciest, most flavorful meat in every bite. Perfectly fried to perfection, this crowd-pleasing dish is ideal for casual gatherings, game-day feasts, or indulgent family dinners. Pair it with traditional sides like creamy coleslaw, fluffy biscuits, or gooey mac and cheese for the ultimate Southern dining experience. Whether you're a fried chicken aficionado or looking to elevate your dinner table, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of spice, crunch, and irresistible taste!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Chicken pieces (legs, thighs, wings, or breasts)
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons Hot sauce
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups Cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons Onion powder
- 1 teaspoons Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoons Sugar
- 6 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken pieces to this mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to marinate.
In a second large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and sugar. This will serve as your dry coating mix.
Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the dry coating mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the flour coating.
Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack or tray and let them sit for 15 minutes. This resting time allows the coating to stick better and ensures crispier chicken.
While the chicken rests, pour the vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet or deep fryer. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a deep-frying thermometer to maintain consistent temperature.
Working in batches, carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil, skin side down. Fry for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
Remove the fried chicken and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to allow excess oil to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
Serve your Spicy Southern Fried Chicken hot with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, biscuits, or mac and cheese. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
18083 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1686.1 g | 2162% | |
| Saturated Fat | 281.6 g | 1408% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1650 mg | 550% | |
| Sodium | 4638 mg | 202% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 297.6 g | 108% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.7 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.5 g | ||
| Protein | 544.2 g | 1088% | |
| Vitamin D | 12.2 mcg | 61% | |
| Calcium | 857 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 39.0 mg | 217% | |
| Potassium | 5291 mg | 113% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
