Get ready for a true taste of the South with this incredible Spicy Southern Fried Chicken! This recipe delivers a perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust and unbelievably juicy, tender meat, all infused with a delightful kick of spice. It’s the ultimate comfort food experience, perfect for a family feast, a picnic, or any time you crave seriously delicious, perfectly fried chicken.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Spicy Southern Fried Chicken recipe is a true culinary treasure, and I absolutely adore it for its unbeatable texture and bold flavor! What I love most is the magic of the buttermilk marinade, which tenderizes the chicken beautifully and ensures every bite is incredibly juicy. The addition of hot sauce to the marinade gives it that perfect subtle warmth, while the seasoned flour coating, with its blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and onion powder, creates an irresistible crispy, golden-brown crust. It’s a dish that feels like pure Southern hospitality, incredibly satisfying, and always a huge hit. It might take a little patience, but the results are absolutely worth every delicious, spicy bite!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Spicy Southern Fried Chicken:
- 4 lbs chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts; bone-in, skin-on recommended)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot, adjust to taste)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying (like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil; about 2-3 inches deep in your skillet/fryer)
Swaps and Notes
- Chicken Pieces: Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breasts) are best for frying as they stay juicier. For even cooking, ensure pieces are similar in size, or adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Buttermilk: Crucial for tenderizing the chicken and helping the coating adhere. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, then filling the rest of the way to 2 cups with regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Hot Sauce: A vinegar-based hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco) works best in the marinade. Adjust the amount to your desired spice level.
- Flour Coating: The blend of flour and spices creates the crispy, flavorful crust. Adjust cayenne pepper to your heat preference. You can add a pinch of dried thyme or oregano for extra flavor.
- Oil for Frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Ensure you have enough oil to submerge at least half of the chicken pieces for even frying.
- Seasoning: Don’t be shy with salt and pepper in the flour mixture, as this is where a lot of the flavor for the crust comes from.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Spicy Southern Fried Chicken cooking!
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups buttermilk and 2 teaspoons hot sauce. Add the 4 lbs chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged in the buttermilk mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. For best results and maximum tenderness and flavor, marinate overnight (8-12 hours).
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish or a wide, sturdy bag (like a large Ziploc), combine the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your taste), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk or shake until all ingredients are well combined.
- Heat Oil for Frying: In a large cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven, or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable or peanut oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Coat Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture one by one, allowing any excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even and thick coating. Shake off any excess flour. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack for a few minutes while the oil heats up further; this helps the coating adhere.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add a few pieces of chicken to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (overcrowding will drop the oil temperature and lead to soggy chicken). Fry for about 12-15 minutes per side, turning occasionally, or until the chicken is a beautiful golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat (avoiding the bone). For bone-in pieces, the total cooking time could be 25-30 minutes, turning halfway.
- Drain & Rest: Remove the cooked chicken pieces from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels (or directly on several layers of paper towels) to drain any excess oil.
- Serve: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes (about 5-10 minutes) before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and juicy result. Enjoy your Spicy Southern Fried Chicken with your favorite sides!
Tips for Success
- Marinate Longer: The longer the chicken marinates in buttermilk (up to 24 hours), the more tender and flavorful it will be.
- Pat Chicken Dry (from excess buttermilk): While the buttermilk coats, letting the major drips come off before flouring helps the flour adhere better and create a crispier crust.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: Using a thermometer is crucial. If the oil is too low, the chicken will be greasy. If it’s too high, the outside will burn before the inside cooks. Adjust heat as needed between batches.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Frying in batches is essential for maintaining oil temperature and ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
- Resting Period: Don’t skip this! It ensures juicy meat.
- Season the Coating Well: A lot of the flavor comes from the seasoned flour.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Spicy Southern Fried Chicken is a complete and incredibly satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with classic comfort food sides:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect complement, especially with a dollop of gravy if you make some from the drippings.
- Coleslaw: A cool, tangy, and crisp coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the fried chicken.
- Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn is a natural partner for Southern meals.
- Southern Green Beans: Long-simmered, flavorful green beans are a fantastic complement (like our Country Green Beans with Smoked Turkey recipe!).
- Biscuits: Fluffy homemade biscuits are perfect for soaking up any juices.
- Sweet Tea: The quintessential beverage pairing for Southern fried chicken.
- For other incredibly popular, crowd-pleasing Southern meals, consider our This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl Of Southern Comfort or our These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food For Lazy Sundays.
Storage and Leftover Tips
While best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispness, leftovers of fried chicken can be stored.
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The skin will lose some of its crispiness.
- Reheating: For best results in regaining crispness, reheat fried chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350-400°F (175-200°C) until warmed through and re-crisped (about 15-20 minutes). Microwaving is not recommended as it will make it soft and rubbery.
- Freezing: Cooked fried chicken can be frozen. Once completely cooled, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the classic, comforting, and deeply flavorful nature of this fried chicken, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring warmth and satisfaction to your table:
- For another crowd-pleasing one-pan chicken dinner, check out our This Mexican Chicken And Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always A Hit.
- If you’re a fan of simple, crowd-pleasing sheet pan meals, our These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way To Feed A Crowd Fast are incredibly efficient.
- And for a fun, interactive way to feed a crowd, our This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way To Feed A Crowd is always a hit!
Final Thoughts
This Spicy Southern Fried Chicken recipe is a timeless classic for a reason – it’s incredibly comforting, deeply flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect meal to gather around the table and savor with loved ones, promising a big taste of homemade goodness.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your home! What’s your favorite classic Southern comfort food to make from scratch? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
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