Crunchy Crispy Crisco Fried Chicken Recipe for Family Night

Weeknight dinners demand a showstopping crispy Crisco fried chicken that sizzles with golden perfection.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic comfort food technique.

The secret lies in the precise temperature and quality of oil.

Crisco creates an incredibly crunchy exterior that locks in juicy, tender meat.

Each bite promises a satisfying crackle that makes taste buds dance with joy.

Home cooks can master this beloved recipe with a few simple techniques.

Prepare to elevate your dinner game with this mouthwatering fried chicken that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Frying Chicken the Crisco Way

• Marinate Chicken in Tangy Bath

Mix buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl. Submerge chicken pieces completely and let them soak in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours to infuse deep flavor.

• Create Crispy Coating Mixture

Blend flour with a mix of seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a separate container for a zesty breading.

• Prepare Chicken for Frying

Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Roll each piece thoroughly in seasoned flour, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating.

• Heat Shortening to Perfect Temperature

Pour Crisco shortening into a deep cast iron skillet. Warm over medium heat until it reaches 350F, creating the ideal frying environment.

• Fry to Golden Perfection

Gently place chicken pieces into hot shortening, skin-side down. Cook without overcrowding, turning once to achieve a rich, crispy golden exterior.

• Finish and Rest

Fry until chicken turns a gorgeous golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Transfer to a wire rack, letting it rest for a few minutes to seal in juices before serving.

Tips for Crunchy and Juicy Chicken

• Let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying to ensure even cooking and a perfectly golden exterior.
• Marinate chicken overnight in buttermilk and hot sauce for maximum tenderness and deep flavor penetration.
• Swap wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising crunchiness.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F, preventing undercooked areas and ensuring juicy meat.
• Add cayenne pepper to flour mixture for extra heat or mix dried herbs like thyme and rosemary for a more complex flavor profile.

Serving Crisco Chicken Like the South

• Crispy Comfort Platter: Serve the golden-brown fried chicken on a large wooden board with rustic charm, creating a family-style presentation that invites everyone to dig in.
• Southern Sidekick Companions: Pair the chicken with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, tangy coleslaw, fresh corn on the cob, or fluffy buttermilk biscuits to complete the hearty meal.
• Dipping Delight Station: Set up a variety of homemade or store-bought dipping sauces like spicy honey mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, or zesty hot sauce to enhance the chicken's crispy flavor and let everyone customize their bite.
• Fresh Finish Touch: Garnish the platter with chopped fresh parsley or green onions and serve with lemon wedges to add a bright, fresh element that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.

Saving and Reheating Fried Chicken

• Keep cooked chicken in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Warm leftover pieces in the oven at 375F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispy exterior. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture and maintain original crunch.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Prepare chicken pieces in advance during weekends. Store uncooked marinated chicken in sealed containers for up to 24 hours. Cook fresh when ready to serve, ensuring maximum flavor and texture quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 100 kcal

Servings: 4

Crisco Fried Chicken Ingredient Essentials

• Buttermilk: Tenderizes chicken and adds tangy richness while creating a silky coating for perfect crispiness.
• Hot Sauce: Elevates flavor profile with a subtle kick and helps penetrate the meat with zesty warmth.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates crispy, golden exterior that locks in juices and provides delightful crunch.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out natural chicken flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds sharp, aromatic heat that complements the chicken's richness.
• Paprika: Introduces warm, slightly sweet undertone and beautiful reddish color to the coating.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated, savory depth without raw garlic texture.
• Onion Powder: Contributes sweet, mellow background note that rounds out seasoning blend.

• Crisco Shortening: Provides clean, neutral oil with high smoke point perfect for achieving evenly golden, crispy chicken without greasy residue.

What You’ll Need to Fry Like Crisco

• Large Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven: Deep, heavy-duty pan perfect for even heat distribution and deep frying.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls for buttermilk marinade and flour coating mixture.
• Wire Rack or Paper Towels: Essential for draining excess oil after frying chicken.
• Meat Thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F.
• Tongs: Helps safely place and flip chicken pieces in hot oil.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements for marinade and seasoning.

Crispy Crisco Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Southern-style Crisco Fried Chicken delivers crispy, golden perfection with a homestyle crunch that promises comfort on a plate. Generations of home cooks have cherished this classic recipe, bringing authentic flavor to family gatherings and weekend meals you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken (about 3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg), cut into 8 pieces
• 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
• 2 tsp (10 ml) hot sauce (optional)
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (15 g) salt
• 1 tsp (5 g) black pepper
• 1 tsp (5 g) paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) garlic powder
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) onion powder
• Crisco shortening (for frying, enough for 1.5 inches / 3.8 cm in skillet)

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Instructions

1. Marination: Whisk buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl. Submerge chicken pieces completely, ensuring thorough coating. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or preferably overnight to enhance flavor depth.
2. Seasoning Preparation: Blend flour with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a separate shallow container. Mix thoroughly to create a uniform coating mixture.
3. Coating Process: Extract chicken from buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drain naturally. Carefully dredge each piece in seasoned flour mixture, pressing firmly to create a comprehensive, even layer. Gently shake off surplus coating.
4. Oil Heating: Position cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Melt Crisco shortening until temperature precisely reaches 350F (175C), using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
5. Frying Technique: Strategically place chicken pieces skin-side down, maintaining adequate spacing to prevent overcrowding. Fry for approximately 8-10 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165F (74C).
6. Resting and Serving: Transfer fried chicken to wire rack or paper towels for excess oil absorption. Allow 5 minutes resting period before serving to preserve crispy texture and seal in juices.

Notes

• Soak chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce overnight to ensure maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
• Maintain consistent 350F oil temperature using a cooking thermometer to prevent soggy or burnt chicken pieces.
• Press flour mixture firmly onto chicken and shake off excess for an extra-crisp, evenly golden exterior without clumping.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet to allow proper heat circulation and ensure each chicken piece cooks uniformly and develops a perfect crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg