Description
This Southern Fried Chicken Batter recipe creates the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken you’ve ever made at home. Made with a seasoned flour and cornstarch blend, this Southern-style chicken coating locks in moisture while delivering the ultimate golden crunch. Perfect for family dinners, summer cookouts, or comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 ½ to 3 pounds chicken pieces (legs, thighs, wings, or boneless strips)
Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil recommended)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Add chicken pieces and let them soak in the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix thoroughly.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mix, pressing the coating onto the chicken well.
4. Let coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 15 minutes to help the batter set.
5. Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Carefully add chicken pieces in batches and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes per side.
6. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oil. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
The cornstarch in the batter helps create an ultra-crispy texture that’s lighter than flour alone.
Soaking the chicken in buttermilk helps the coating adhere better and results in juicier meat.
Always fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg