Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken: If using a whole chicken, cut it into 8 pieces (2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, and 2 wings). Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel.
- Make the Marinade: In a large bowl or a zip-top bag, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Set Up a Breading Station: Place the dry breading mixture in a shallow dish or pie plate.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the chicken to ensure an even and thick coating. For extra crunch, you can double-dip: after the first coat, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk, then coat it again in the flour mixture.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
- Heat the Oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, working in batches so as not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for dark meat and 160°F (71°C) for white meat.
- Drain the Chicken: Once fried, remove the chicken pieces from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve Hot: Serve your crispy fried chicken with classic sides like coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. Enjoy while hot and fresh!
Tips for Perfect Fried Chicken
- Use Buttermilk: Marinating in buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and gives it a delicious, tangy flavor.
- Cornstarch for Extra Crispiness: Adding cornstarch to the flour mixture ensures an extra crispy coating.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep the oil temperature steady at around 350°F for the best results. Too hot and the chicken will burn; too cool and the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
Conclusion
This classic fried chicken recipe delivers everything you want from fried chicken: juicy meat with a perfectly crispy crust. Whether you’re enjoying it for dinner or at a picnic, this recipe guarantees crunchy, flavorful fried chicken that everyone will love!