Classic Fried Chicken

Afraid to fry chicken at home? Everyday Food editor Sarah Carey demystifies the process and shows you how to get this portable picnic fave perfectly crispy without all the grease.

Classic Fried Chicken

Get the Full Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cornstarch
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 quart buttermilk
1 chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds), cut into 10 pieces, or 10 skin-on legs or thighs
3 cups vegetable oil

Directions

In a wide, shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together flour, cornstarch, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer 1 1/4 cups flour mixture to an airtight container; set aside. In a large glass bowl, whisk together buttermilk, 2 tablespoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then submerge in buttermilk mixture. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours (or up to overnight).
Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels. In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil to 350 degrees over medium (a small cube of bread should brown in less than 1 minute). Transfer reserved flour mixture to a wide, shallow dish. In batches, lift chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, and dredge in flour mixture.
Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 16 to 20 minutes per batch, flipping once (adjust heat if browning too quickly). With tongs, transfer chicken to rack to drain, 5 minutes, then serve.

Get the Full Recipe

Classic Fried Chicken

Best Chicken Dishes 23 Videos