Crispy Seasoned Fried Chicken (Printable)

Juicy chicken coated in seasoned flour, deep-fried until golden and crispy with a tender interior.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 pieces skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or assorted)

→ Marinade

02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 2 tsp salt
04 - 1 tsp black pepper
05 - 1 tsp paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

→ Coating

07 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1 tsp onion powder
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Frying

14 - 4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying

# Directions:

01 - Combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
02 - In a separate large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Thoroughly dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
04 - Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack and let rest for 10 minutes to set the coating.
05 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
06 - Fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid overcrowding the pan.
07 - Remove chicken from oil and drain on wire rack or paper towels. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The buttermilk marinade does something almost miraculous to the chicken, making it stay juicy no matter how long it sits in the oil.
  • That double-layer of seasoning in both the marinade and coating means flavor in every bite, not just on the crust.
  • The double-dip method is a game-changer if you're craving extra crispness without any fuss.
02 -
  • The thermometer is your friend here—I learned this the hard way after pulling chicken out too early and finding pink near the bone, and also after overcompensating and making it dry.
  • Never skip the resting period after dredging; that 10 minutes transforms a floury coating into something that actually clings to the chicken through the heat.
  • Oil temperature is everything—I've made the same recipe look completely different just by letting the oil get 5 degrees cooler than it should be.
03 -
  • If your oil starts to smell off or looks dark after frying, strain it through cheesecloth or replace it—fresh oil fries better and tastes cleaner.
  • Let your chicken come closer to room temperature before frying; cold chicken pulled straight from the fridge will cool down the oil and cook unevenly.
Go Back