If you ask me what my favorite Cracker Barrel menu item is, then it has to be Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken. This Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor Southern fried chicken is my ultimate comfort food.
One thing that I love most about this recipe is that it does not take any special cooking skills. Just dip the chicken pieces into dry and wet ingredients and fry until golden brown.
I have made this recipe so many times that now it has become like my signature dish. Everyone I know always asks me to make some so that they can enjoy Cracker Barrel’s flavors without stopping at the outlet.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give this recipe a try, and just make sure to follow the tips I mentioned to ensure a flawless cooking experience.Â
Equipment Required
- Deep Fryer: Use a deep fryer to cook the fried chickenÂ
- Deep-fry Thermometer: Check the oil temperature with a thermometer.
- Wire Rack: Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack.
- Large Mixing Bowls: Take large mixing bowls to combine all the coating ingredients
- Tongs: Tongs will help you to flip the chicken while cooking.
Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 2 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities for more or fewer servings.
- Oil: You can use any frying oil to make the fried chicken
- 3 Cups All-purpose Flour: If you want, you can use cornstarch or gluten-free flour
- 3 Teaspoons Salt
- 3 Teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
- 3 Cups Of Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use yoghurt and water.
- ¾ Cups Water
- 1 Whole Chicken Cut Up: You can use Bone-in Chicken Pieces for this recipe.
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Minutes | 25 Minutes | 40 Minutes |
How To Make Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken At Home
Step 1
Prepare seasoned flour by combining the flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Step 2
Take another bowl and combine buttermilk and water. Then add seasoned chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture.
Step 3
After this, I dip the chicken pieces into the dry mixture, and place them on a wire rack.
Step 4
Further, heat the oil in a pan and the add chicken.
Step 5
Fry the chicken in two or three batches for about 12-15 minutes.
Step 6
Once fried, I place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet to drain off the excess oil. Now, the fried chicken is ready to serve.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- Suppose you don’t want to create a mess while coating: follow the one-hand-wet, one-hand-dry rule. The rule is one hand for dipping into buttermilk (wet) and the other for flour (dry).
- Before you fry, let the coated chicken rest on a wire rack for a while.
- When frying, make sure not to overcrowd the Fryer.
- The best way to enjoy most flavours is to season them at every level.
- I make sure to double-dip the chicken to enjoy extra crispy notes.
FAQs About Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Cracker Barrel’s Southern Fried Chicken is super crispy, meaty, and juicy. The only thing you need to keep a check on is the calories, and consume fried chicken only in moderation.
| Calories | 152 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 7 mg |
| Sodium | 1035 mg |
| Potassium | 645 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Vitamin A | 102 IU |
| Calcium | 78 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
However, if you want, you can customize the recipe and cater as per your dietary needs.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Gluten Free: To make it gluten-free, I use a gluten-free all-purpose flour or a mix of rice flour and cornstarch for dredging.
- Keto Friendly: You can switch to almond flour and use heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk instead of buttermilk. This would make your recipe keto-friendly.
Storing This Recipe
- Refrigeration: To store the fried chicken, I transfer it to an airtight container, which keeps it for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap each chicken piece individually in plastic wrap and then in aluminium foil, or place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Fried Chicken can be stored for about 3 months.
What To Serve With This Recipe
If you want, you can serve Mashed Potatoes with the Fried Chicken. I really love to pair this dish with fresh Coleslaw. To add more carbs, serve Buttermilk Biscuits with Corn Salad and Potato Salad.
Printable Version
Homemade Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Oil
- 3 Cups All-purpose Flour
- 3 Teaspoons Salt
- 3 Teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
- 3 Cups Of Buttermilk
- ¾ Cups Water
- 1 Whole Chicken Cut Up
Equipment
- Skillet
- Deep-Fry Thermometer
- Wire Rack
- Large Mixing Bowls
- Tongs
Instructions
- Prepare seasoned flour by combining the flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.Â
- Take another bowl and combine buttermilk and water. Then add seasoned chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture.
- After this, I dip the chicken pieces into the dry mixture, and place them on a wire rack.
- Further, heat the oil in a pan and the add chicken.
- Fry the chicken in two or three batches for about 12-15 minutes.
- Once fried, I place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet to drain off the excess oil. Now, the fried chicken is ready to serve.Â
Notes
- Suppose you don’t want to create a mess while coating, follow the one hand wet and one hand dry rule. The rule is one hand for dipping into buttermilk (wet) and the other for flour (dry).
- Before you fry, let the coated chicken rest for a while on a wire rack.Â
- When frying, make sure not to overcrowd the Fryer.Â
- The best way to enjoy most of the flavors is to coat with seasoning at every level.Â
- I make sure to double dip the chicken to enjoy extra crispy notes.Â
Nutrition
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Conclusion
If you love Fried Chicken but don’t want to stop at Cracker Barrel, you need to try this recipe. You will love the recipe because the flavours are similar to those in the restaurant. So, why not try making it at home and see how it turns out?
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