Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

Name: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: ½ pound Chicken Wings; ½ cup Buttermilk; 2 tablespoons Hot Sauce; ½ cup All-Purpose Flour; 2 tablespoons Oil; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 teaspoon Thyme; 1 teaspoon Oregano; 1 teaspoon Rosemary; 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Recipe Pin

This Buttermilk Fried Chicken is one of the recipes I am totally proud of. Coated with buttermilk and hot spices, it is the ultimate crunchy buttermilk fried chicken, superior to all other fried chicken recipes.

Since I love chicken, I have no shortage of chicken recipes, but this Buttermilk Fried Chicken has got to be one of my favorites. Whenever I host people at my house, this is in popular demand, and I have zero complaints about it!

This is a simple fried chicken recipe made in a frying pan. You might also wonder what’s so special about using buttermilk. Well, buttermilk kind of acts like a brine for the chicken.

This helps tenderize the meat, which gives you that juicy interior and textured crispy exterior. Thanks to the buttermilk, the flour sticks to it really well, and you get that restaurant-quality fried chicken at home.

Calling for no hassle and complicated steps, this recipe is perfect for meal prep. It has a fantastic texture, and the flavors can also be customized. So, get ready to dive into the ultimate game-changing fried chicken recipe

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Bowl: I use a bowl to mix all the ingredients.
Pan: To fry the chicken pieces, I use a pan.
Tongs: I am using tongs to lift and flip the chicken pieces.

Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Ingredients

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe’s ingredients can serve up to 2 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities as required for more or fewer proportions.

½ Pound Chicken Wings: I am using classic chicken wings for this recipe, but you can also use drumsticks.
½ Cup Buttermilk
2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce
½ Cup All-Purpose Flour: I am using all-purpose flour, but you can also use almond flour for this recipe.
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon Thyme
1 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Rosemary: If you don’t have rosemary, then use marjoram instead.
1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Can’t find this? Then, use chili powder or cayenne pepper to build up the heat.
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total time
10 Minutes	15 Minutes	20 Minutes

How To Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken At Home

Step 1

Marinate the chicken wings in buttermilk with a splash of hot sauce. Keep it aside for an hour.

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare the coating mixture by combining flour with the spices like thyme, rosemary, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix it well.

Step 3

Meanwhile, heat a pan and add oil for frying.

Step 4

After one hour of marination, dredge the chicken wings into the dry rubs. Coat the wings evenly.

Step 5

Put them in the frying pan to deep-fry. Deep-fry the wings until they are golden brown.

Step 6

Serve the fried chicken wings with your choice of sauces.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

If you want your buttermilk fried chicken to turn out as good as mine, you need to pat the chicken pieces dry. Wet chicken pieces do not coat well with the ingredients, and they can also alter the flavor, which is not appetizing.
Another tip about marinating is that the longer you marinate it, the better it tastes. Sometimes, I even let it marinate overnight, and it tastes heavenly.
I always fry my chicken in batches. Overcrowding the pan with too many chicken pieces at once alters the cooking time, and this will also lead to unevenly cooked fried chicken, which is a total waste of time.
There is no harm in using cold chicken, but whenever I do, I allow it to come down to room temperature. Cold chicken can elongate the cooking time as it needs longer to cook, and it does not coat properly.
If you are not a fan of coating the chicken with your hand, add the all-purpose flour and seasoning to the zip-lock bag, add the chicken pieces, and toss them around. This process works equally fine. I have tried it out as well, and the fried chicken turns out just the same.
For the best crispy exterior, you can always double-coat your chicken and later double-fry it.
I have heard a lot of advice on how important it is for the oil to be hot enough. However, as a beginner, I was confused about when the oil was hot enough. So, an easy way to choose is by looking for bubbles in the oil. If you see bubbles, then your oil is hot enough. You can also drop a little bit of bread in the oil. If it floats without sinking, then you can also be sure that your oil is hot enough.
I like my buttermilk fried chicken as it is, but to take it up a notch, you can use sriracha, honey, BBQ sauce, or even oyster sauce to turn this into korean bbq chicken and any other variation you want. Mix up your choice of sauce, toss this chicken in, and enjoy.
I know it’s tempting to grab the chicken pieces right after they are fried, but the best cooks know that you need to rest them for some time. A resting period of 2-5 minutes allows the juices in the chicken pieces to redistribute, which makes the buttermilk fried chicken taste even better.

Faq About Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Why is your Buttermilk Fried Chicken soggy?

If you add the chicken when the oil is not hot enough, it will become soggy. This is because the outer breading absorbs most of the oil, making the chicken soggy. Ensure that the oil is hot enough and add the chicken pieces in batches, as overcrowding the pan alters the temperature, resulting in soggy buttermilk fried chicken.

Why is your Buttermilk Fried Chicken not evenly fried?

There can be several reasons why your fried chicken is crispy in some areas and undercooked in others. If you are using cold chicken, overcrowding the pan, not coating the chicken properly, or not heating the oil enough, your buttermilk fried chicken will be unevenly fried.

Why is your Buttermilk Fried Chicken burnt on the outside and raw on the inside?

If the oil temperature is too hot, your buttermilk-fried chicken will burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside. When this happens, the outer layer burns while the inside of the chicken remains uncooked.

How can you determine that your Buttermilk Fried Chicken is ready?

The best way to determine if your buttermilk fried chicken is ready is to use a thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. If the internal temperature is 165 degrees F, then the chicken is ready. Another easy way to determine this is by cutting the chicken with a knife. If the juices run clear and the meat is white, then it is cooked. However, if it looks pinkish or red, then it needs to be cooked longer.

Why is your Buttermilk Fried Chicken breading falling off?

If your buttermilk fried chicken breading is falling off, it is likely because you did not dry the chicken well before coating it. Another reason can be that you did not use enough all-purpose flour, which is the main binding agent. Also, if the oil is not hot enough, the breading will separate from the chicken, which can be a big hassle.

Can you make Buttermilk Fried Chicken in an air fryer?

If you want to skip the oily layers, then yes, you can make buttermilk-fried chicken in an air fryer, too. To do this, coat your chicken pieces, let them rest for 5 minutes, spray some cooking oil, and bake them for 15 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F. Do not overcrowd the air fryer with chicken pieces, or else they won’t be cooked properly. Once done, flip them on the other side, spray some cooking oil, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Although these Buttermilk Fried Chicken taste delish, they are not a healthy option to be enjoyed. They are high in calories and fats; hence, they should be consumed in moderation. To get a deeper idea about its nutritional value, take a look below:

Calories	426 kcal
Carbohydrates	30 g
Sugar	3 mg
Fibre	2 grams
Protein	17 g
Fat	26 g
Saturated Fat	5 g
Vitamin C	12 mg
Potassium	302 mg
IU Vitamin A	775 IU
Vitamin C	12 mg
Calcium	111 mg
Iron	3 mg

However, the good news is that it is completely soy and nut-free. Hence, people following those diets can have it without any restriction. However, people following vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free diets need to make certain modifications first.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: To make Buttermilk Fried Chicken in vegan style, you can use chicken made up of seitan. You can also rely on oyster mushrooms and tofu to make a vegan Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe. Since you are following a vegan diet you cannot use buttermilk so go for any plant based milk. I like to use coconut milk for this recipe.
Gluten-Free Diet: This recipe is not gluten-free because I used all-purpose flour. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by using chickpea flour or almond flour.
Keto-Friendly: To make it keto friendly, you can use low carb milk instead of buttermilk. Moreover, for breading, use almond flour. You can also use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.

Storing & Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: Buttermilk Fried Chicken tastes best when it is hot and crunchy. Hence, I leave it on the countertop for only 30 minutes, after which it goes straight into the fridge for further storage.
Refrigeration: Although I rarely have leftovers of these crunchy Buttermilk Fried Chicken, if I do, I refrigerate them. I let them completely cool down before packing them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. This way, they can be stored for up to five days in the fridge.
Freezing: If you want to store your Buttermilk Fried Chicken for longer, you can freeze it. Transfer the chicken to a freezer-friendly bag and store it for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Stovetop:Reheating your Buttermilk Fried Chicken on the stovetop is quite easy. You just need to add two tablespoons of oil to the pan and adjust the heat to medium or high. Add the chicken pieces to the pan without overcrowding it. Finally, heat it on both sides until it is evenly warm enough.
Air Fryer: You can also use your handy air fryer to heat up your Buttermilk Fried Chicken. For this, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F and add your fried chicken pieces to the casket. Make sure that they are not too close because you want to leave some space so that air can circulate through them. If you have too many, then do it in batches. Air fry it for 2 minutes on each side and enjoy it hot.
Oven: Before a party, if you want to reheat loads of Buttermilk Fried Chicken together, then use your oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degree F, add the chicken pieces to a baking tray and cover it with aluminium foil or else they will turn out to be extremely dry. Then bake it for 15-20 minutes however keep in mind that it depends on the quantity and thickness of the chicken pieces. After it is nicely baked, give it 5 minutes of resting time to allow the juices to redistribute before digging in.
Microwave:When I’m in a hurry and want to reheat only a few pieces of Buttermilk Fried Chicken, I rely on my microwave. I add the fried chicken to a bowl, cover it with a paper towel, and then heat it for 30 seconds at medium heat. To heat it even more, you can follow it up with a 10-second burst.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Now that your Buttermilk Fried Chicken is ready, you can enjoy it with French Fries, a burger, and coke on the side. Potato Wedges and cheese tots also taste delicious with Buttermilk Fried Chicken. If you enjoy Mac And Cheese, then these crunchy Buttermilk Fried Chicken also compliment it really well.

On a healthier note, if you want some healthy sides, you can have it with Broccoli Salad, Potato Salad, or Coleslaw. Another simple side dish with can be grilled corn or stir-fried veggies.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

Fried Chicken Snoop Dogg Style — Snoop Dog Fried Chicken

Delicious Fried Chicken Recipe — Snoop Dog Fried Chicken

Conclusion

This homemade buttermilk fried chicken is better than most restaurant chains. There I said it! Once you try it out, you will agree with me, too. It looks amazing, and as soon as you dig in, you hear the crunchy textures audibly, with the spices hitting right in , which will take you to a food coma.

It’s hard to stop eating this once you take a bite and no it’s not just me but all my guests feel the same. So if you love chicken, love snacking and love friend chicken then this buttermilk fried chicken will get you talking for days.

All I can say is get ready to be showered with compliments because you will be blown away. With all the compliments, don’t forget to let me know how it turned out in the comments because I am sure you would have some good things to say about it.