Crispy, juicy, Southern-style comfort food 🧡
There’s nothing quite like the golden crunch of Southern fried chicken. This buttermilk-marinated recipe delivers ultra-crispy skin, tender juicy meat, and an irresistible sweet-savory contrast thanks to a final drizzle of warm honey 🍯. Whether it’s Sunday dinner, game day, or a cozy weekend treat, this dish will never let you down.
📝 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
For the Breading:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
For Serving:
- Warm honey (optional but recommended) 🍯
🔥 Instructions:
1. Marinate the chicken 🍗
In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat, and cover. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight — the longer, the better!
2. Prepare the breading 🥣
In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. This blend creates the crispy crust with an extra crunch thanks to the cornstarch.
3. Bread the chicken 🔄
Remove chicken from the marinade (let excess drip off). Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat. For extra crispiness, double-dip: back into the buttermilk, then into the flour again.
4. Fry to perfection 🍳
Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry 2–3 pieces at a time for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C). Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
5. Add the honey touch 🍯
Drizzle warm honey over the hot chicken just before serving for that sweet-savory flavor bomb. It takes the experience to a whole new level!
🍽️ How to Serve:
- With mashed potatoes and gravy for a classic Southern plate 🥔
- On a biscuit with pickles for a killer chicken sandwich 🥪
- With waffles and hot sauce for brunch vibes 🧇🌶️
- With creamy coleslaw and cornbread for a BBQ-style feast 🍞
💡 Tips:
✅ Marinate overnight for max tenderness and flavor
✅ Use a thermometer for oil — don’t guess!
✅ Let chicken rest on a rack to keep it crispy
🌎 Keywords:
Primary Keyword: Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Long-Tail Keywords: Crispy Southern fried chicken recipe, homemade fried chicken with honey, how to make fried chicken crunchy
Final Thoughts 💬
This Buttermilk Fried Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and just sweet enough to make you go back for more. 🍗 Whether you’re cooking for your family or friends, this recipe will win everyone over — every time!