3.8 from 16 votes

Fried chicken is a classic dish that goes great with almost anything. There is nothing better than a crispy, juicy piece of fried chicken. Whether you are making a Sunday dinner with chicken, mac and cheese and collard greens or a brunch with chicken and waffles you want the to have great tasting, perfect fried chicken. But what makes fried chicken so good? Is it the crispy coating? The juicy meat? Or the combination of both?

The truth is, there are a few secrets to making the perfect fried chicken. My recipe is crispy, delicious and very easy to follow. Once you know these secrets, you’ll be able to fry up some delicious chicken that everyone will love.

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How to Make Perfect Fried Chicken

The key to making perfect fried chicken starts with using high quality, fresh ingredients. Making sure you to use fresh ingredients will yield the best flavor possible. Brining your chicken will always yield juicy fried chicken. Chose a brine that suits your desired outcome. After brining, season the chicken and flour with the seasoning of your choice. When frying the chicken preheat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. High heat is important to achieving the crispiest chicken possible. After you have fried the chicken remove it from the oil and allow it to rest for a few minutes.

Watch the Video Tutorial for Perfect Fried Chicken

Step 1: Ingredients

We all know that the ingredients you choose for any recipe lays the foundation for great tasting food. Choosing the right ingredients can make a huge difference in how your end product taste, it’s texture and presentation. For my fried chicken recipe I use the freshest chicken. Ideally fresh herbs and spices are great but dried herbs and spices work well also.

Ingredients for Fried Chicken

For this recipe we will use the following:

Chicken – use the freshest chicken possible. Fresh chicken yields the best taste
All-Purpose Flour -Purpose is to aid the ingredients in adhering to the chicken and creates a golden brown color.
Cornstarch – Lightens the texture of the coating and adds extra crispness.
Garlic Powder -adds garlic flavor that enhances the taste of the chicken.
Onion Powder – adds an onion flavor to the chicken, blending well with the other seasonings
Salt – add a familiar taste that enhances the taste of the chicken.
White Pepper – adds a slight kick enhancing the flavor.
Thyme – Aromatic herb that adds a unique flavor.
Oregano -Aromatic herbs that add complexity and depth of flavor.
Smoked Paprika – adds a bit of smokiness
Dried Mustard – adds a tangy kick to your chicken
Vegetable Shortening – Oil with a high smoke point is ideal for deep-frying without burning.
Garlic – Used in the brine to provides the chicken with its savory and aromatic flavor.
Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness to the brine and helps brown the chicken during frying.

What You Will Need

Step 2: Making the Brine

Brining is a simple process that can have a great impact on the flavor and texture of your chicken. By soaking the chicken in a saltwater solution, you can help to ensure that it is moist and flavorful. A typical brine consist of water, salt, sugar/honey and seasoning.

Secret #1:

The first secret to making the best fried chicken is brining. Brining for at least four hours makes your chicken moist and more flavorful. To make the brine, add the water, honey, 1/3 cup of salt, garlic and two teaspoons of thyme and mix well.

Place the chicken in the bowl then transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and allow it to sit for at least four hours or overnight.

Step 3: The Fried Chicken Batter

Cornstarch and flour are what I like to use to make my fried chicken extra crispy. The cornstarch works to absorb moisture, which ensures a crispy coating on the chicken. The flour helps to bind the cornstarch and seasoning together, and it also adds flavor to the chicken.

Secret #2

The second secret to making the best fried chicken is substituting 1/4 of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch. Using cornstarch will leave the chicken light but super crunchy.

In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch and 4-1/2 tablespoons of the seasoning mixture then mix well.

Step 4: Creating Your Seasoning Blend for Perfect Fried Chicken

Seasoning is key to great tasting fried chicken. Choose the right herbs and spices will depend upon your taste, however there are a few that I rely on that know will give me great flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment to get the flavor you desire. Make sure to season both the chicken and your flour mixture.

seasoning, dried mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, thyme

seasoning, smoked paprika, oregano, white pepper, onion powder

In a separate bowl, combine the dried mustard, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of thyme, 1 tablespoon of salt and black pepper. Next add the smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder and white pepper. Mix until well combined.

In a bowl, place the chicken with one and a half tablespoons of your seasoning mixture. Make sure to generously coat each piece.

Combine the remaining seasoning with the flour and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined.

Next coat the chicken with the seasoned flour then place them on a wire rack.

Step 5: Frying Your Chicken

When frying chicken, the most important factors to consider are the skillet, oil and temperature. Making sure these elements are perfect will result in the best fried chicken.

Secret #3

The third secret to the perfect fried chicken is using a heavy cast iron skillet. Using a Cast iron skillet will distribute the heat and allow the chicken to cook more evenly.

Secret #4

My fourth secret is using an oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable shortening. Although this is not the healthiest choice it will result in a great taste and beautiful color.

I have one more secret to share but I’ll get to that in a moment. Add the shortening to the cast iron skillet then bring the temperature to 350 degrees.

Fry the chicken until it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Secret #5

My last secret is after the chicken is done, allow it to rest on a clean wire rack for six minutes before serving. This will result in an even temperature and an extra crispy crust.

Following these secrets will help you to make the perfect fried chicken every time. So get out your frying pan and get cooking!

What to Eat With Fried Chicken

Fried chicken goes well with almost everything. It is so great not just for dinner but for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Here are a few sides that goes so well with fried chicken.

Baked Mac and Cheese – so delicious!
Waffles – Chicken and waffles, a classic soul food staple that can be found on many brunch menus.
Gumbo – Although gumbo is great alone, it serves as a great side dish for chicken and fish.
Collard Greens – Collard greens pairs well with Fried, smothered or stewed chicken.
Dirty Rice – If you want to add a little spice, then dirty rice is an excellent choice.
Fried Cabbage – a delicious and healthy choice.
Potato Salad – classic potato salad is an easy selection that pairs well with chicken, beef or fish.

How to Store Leftover

To properly stored leftover chicken place it in an airtight container. If you don’t have an airtight container use plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Fried chicken can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

For freezing the chicken, divide it based on portions. Use an airtight freezer container or lock bag. Chicken can be stored for up to four months in the freezer.

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5 Secrets to Perfect Fried Chicken

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

3.8 from 16 votes

Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Ingredients

2 lbs Chicken
¾ Cup All-Purpose Flour
¼ Cup Corn Starch
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
1 Tbsp Salt
½ Tbsp White Pepper
1 Tbsp Thyme
½ Tbsp Oregano
½ Tbsp Smoked Paprika
1 Tbsp Dried Mustard
5 Cups Vegetable Shortening
For the Brine
2 qts Water
⅓ Cup Salt
3 Cloves Garlic
¼ Cup Honey
2 tsps Thyme

Directions

The first secret to making the best fried chicken is brining. Brining for at least four hours makes your chicken moist and more flavorful. To make the brine, add the water, honey, 1/3 cup of salt, garlic and two teaspoons of thyme and mix well.
Place the chicken in the bowl then transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and allow it to sit for at least four hours or overnight.
In a separate bowl, combine the dried mustard, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of thyme, 1 tablespoon of salt and black pepper.
Next add the smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder and white pepper. Mix until well combined then set it aside until later.
The second secret to making the best fried chicken is substituting 1/4 of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch. Using cornstarch will leave the chicken light but super crunchy.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch and 4-1/2 tablespoons of the seasoning mixture then mix well.
After at least four hours, remove the chicken from the refrigerator.
In a bowl, place the chicken with one and a half tablespoons of your seasoning mixture. Make sure to generously coat each piece.
Next coat the chicken with the seasoned flour then place them on a wire rack.
The third secret to the perfect fried chicken is using a heavy cast iron skillet. Using a cast iron skillet will distribute the heat and allow the chicken to cook more evenly.
My fourth secret is using an oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable shortening. Although this is not the healthiest choice it will result in a great taste and beautiful color.
have one more secret to share but I’ll get to that in a moment. Add the shortening to the cast iron skillet then bring the temperature to 350 degrees.
Fry the chicken until it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
My last secret is after the chicken is done, allow it to rest on a clean wire rack for six minutes before serving. This will result in an even temperature and an extra crispy crust.

Soul Food Cooking

5 Secrets to Perfect Fried Chicken – From the Queen of Soul Food Cooking