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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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