By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 14, 2018
BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN is the best fried chicken recipe you will ever sink your teeth into. Fried Chicken can be tricky, but we have broken it down to the PERFECT easy fried chicken recipe anyone can make. This Buttermilk Chicken Recipe will become the favorite chicken of your life! This Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe is one everyone needs to know how to make. Your family will thank you!
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Buttermilk Fried Chicken is one of the BEST FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES I’ve ever tried. I think everyone should know how to make amazing fried chicken, even if it’s just once in life. Once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked.
Even though this fried chicken is a bit time consuming, it’s SO worth it, and I know you’ll want to make it for your family again and again. You can wow your family with all your skills!
Keep reading to find our secret to making the juiciest fried chicken ever. This recipe is just so amazing, I can’t wait for you try it.
This is the PERFECT fried chicken recipe. So moist, so flavorful, and SO good!
Best Fried Chicken Recipe
This buttermilk fried chicken recipe is a bit of work, but it’s so worth it! My mom came over to help me with my first ever batch of fried chicken, and it was so fun to learn from her. She’s a master in the kitchen, and I’m very lucky to have her as a resource.
In general, you don’t have to brine chicken before frying it, but we do in this recipe because it’s our little secret to making the best fried chicken ever! By soaking the chicken in the brine (for up to 8 hours), the chicken absorbs some of the water so that it’s extra moist and juicy (and gets some extra flavor). Yum!
ButtermilkFried Chicken Brine
To make the brine for this buttermilk fried chicken recipe, you’ll need:
- 8 cups of cold water
- Kosher salt
- Lemon
- Bay leaves
- Black peppercorns
- Flat leaf parsley
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Honey
- Garlic
Combine all the ingredients in a large pot, boil it, then let it cool. Then just place the chicken in the brine for about 8 hours (any longer and it will get too salty). Easy!
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How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken
To say Pat was excited about this recipe would be an understatement! There’s nothing quite like the perfect fried chicken, and I have to say, THIS IS IT. I just can’t wait for you to try this recipe!
This buttermilk fried chicken recipe is one you’re going to have to plan. It’s easy to make, but it’s not quick. Start by brining the chicken, then you can move on to making the fried chicken coating, dipping it in buttermilk, and frying it up.
The chicken will need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Check the recipe card for the full how to.
The Best meat thermometer!
I love using this meat thermometer for making sure the meat is at 165 degrees! Easy for beginners & totally worth the $10 cost!
Best Side Dishes for Fried Chicken
For the perfect fried chicken meal, you got to have the best sides. A nice full dinner of mashed potatoes, baked beans, bread…yes, load up on ALL the carbs.
There’s no point in trying to make a healthy meal here. Just indulge and ENJOY. Pair this Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe with some of our favorite side dishes.
Pair this with:
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Easy Macaroni Salad
- Best Mashed Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Shoestring Potatoes
- Cornbread Muffins
- Easy Potato Salad
- 3 Bean Salad
- Homemade Lemonade
Tips for Making Buttermilk Chicken
This buttermilk fried chicken recipe is the BEST EVER. I’m not kidding. But it does take a bit of work to make something this delicious.
Here’s everything you need to know about buttermilk chicken (how long to soak, why we use it, and how to make your own buttermilk!).
How long do you soak the chicken in buttermilk before frying?
Traditionally, you would soak the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, but we have added a brining process to this fried chicken.
We brine the chicken first, then dip in buttermilk before frying. Get ready for the juiciest fried chicken EVER!
Why do you soak the chicken in buttermilk?
It’s been proven (by all those food scientists that are much smarter than me) that chicken is plain old better when soaked in lactic acid before cooking. Buttermilk is one way to do that. The result is the juiciest and most flavorful fried chicken you’ll ever eat!
Can I use milk instead of buttermilk to soak the chicken?
You can! The result isn’t quite the same, but it will work in a pinch. See below how to make your own buttermilk using milk if you don’t have any on hand.
Can I make my own buttermilk to use in this Buttermilk Fried Chicken?
Yes you can, and it’s simple. Simply stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, into 1 cup of plain milk to make your own buttermilk. Easy peasy!
More Easy Chicken Recipes
This Buttermilk Fried Chicken is just one of our many favorite chicken recipes. Take your pick below!
Fried Chicken Breast
Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe
Melt in Your Mouth Caesar Chicken
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Brine:
- ▢ 8 cups cold water
- ▢ ½ cup kosher salt
- ▢ 1 lemon grated zest & sliced
- ▢ 6 bay leaves
- ▢ 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- ▢ ¼ cup Flat Leaf Parsley Italian parsley
- ▢ 2 sprigs rosemary
- ▢ 4 sprigs thyme
- ▢ 3 tablespoons honey
- ▢ 1 head garlic skin left on and cloves smashed
For Frying the Chicken:
- ▢ 10 pieces chicken skin-on and bone-in (whole breast cut in-half)
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons garlic powder
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons onion powder
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 quart buttermilk
- ▢ 10 cups Peanut Oil
Video
Instructions
For the Brine:
- Place all brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute or until the salt dissolves, then chill completely.
- When the mixture has chilled, add the chicken pieces and brine for 8 hours. Do NOT brine more than 8 hours or the chicken could be too salty.
- After 8 hours, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate and pat completely dry with other paper towels. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 1 hour before deep frying and while prepping to cook.
For Frying the Chicken:
- Mix together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper. Divide the flour mixture into 2 bowls.
- Place the buttermilk in a third bowl and set it between the bowls with the flour mixture.
- Preheat the oil, in a large Dutch oven, to 330 degrees F. Immediately before frying, dip the chicken legs and thighs (dark meat) into the flour mixture, the buttermilk and then the 2nd flour mixture. Fry 10-13 minutes until golden brown, and the internal temperature is 175-180 degrees F. (The temperature of the oil will decrease so adjust the heat to keep the oil at 325.) Place only 3-4 chicken pieces in the pot – do NOT overcrowd the pot. The chicken will be cooked in batches. When chicken is cooked through, transfer it (skin-side up) to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
- Repeat the process with the wings and breasts (white meat). Fry 7 minutes (depending on the size of the breasts) until internal temperature is 170 degrees F. Transfer the chicken to a cooling rack and sprinkle it lightly with coarse salt.
- While the chicken rests, add the herb sprigs to the hot oil and cook until crisp. Serve the chicken on a large tray and garnish it with crisp herbs.
- Per Thomas Keller (and me), ENJOY the best fried chicken of your life!
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For the Brine:
- 8 cups cold water
- ½ cup kosher salt
- 1 lemon grated zest & sliced
- 6 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- ¼ cup Flat Leaf Parsley Italian parsley
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 head garlic skin left on and cloves smashed
For Frying the Chicken:
- 10 pieces chicken skin-on and bone-in (whole breast cut in-half)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tablespoons garlic powder
- 1½ tablespoons onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 quart buttermilk
- 10 cups Peanut Oil
Instructions
For the Brine:
- Place all brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute or until the salt dissolves, then chill completely.
- When the mixture has chilled, add the chicken pieces and brine for 8 hours. Do NOT brine more than 8 hours or the chicken could be too salty.
- After 8 hours, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate and pat completely dry with other paper towels. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 1 hour before deep frying and while prepping to cook.
For Frying the Chicken:
- Mix together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper. Divide the flour mixture into 2 bowls.
- Place the buttermilk in a third bowl and set it between the bowls with the flour mixture.
- Preheat the oil, in a large Dutch oven, to 330 degrees F. Immediately before frying, dip the chicken legs and thighs (dark meat) into the flour mixture, the buttermilk and then the 2nd flour mixture. Fry 10-13 minutes until golden brown, and the internal temperature is 175-180 degrees F. (The temperature of the oil will decrease so adjust the heat to keep the oil at 325.) Place only 3-4 chicken pieces in the pot – do NOT overcrowd the pot. The chicken will be cooked in batches. When chicken is cooked through, transfer it (skin-side up) to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
- Repeat the process with the wings and breasts (white meat). Fry 7 minutes (depending on the size of the breasts) until internal temperature is 170 degrees F. Transfer the chicken to a cooling rack and sprinkle it lightly with coarse salt.
- While the chicken rests, add the herb sprigs to the hot oil and cook until crisp. Serve the chicken on a large tray and garnish it with crisp herbs.
- Per Thomas Keller (and me), ENJOY the best fried chicken of your life!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
