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Delicious crispy southern fried chicken served with golden french fries

Crispy Southern Fried Chicken & French Fries

A beloved Southern classic featuring juicy buttermilk-marinated chicken with a crispy coating, served alongside perfectly cooked French fries.
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Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 750
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 8 pieces chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, or breasts) Use fresh chicken without added hormones or preservatives.
  • 2 cups buttermilk Can substitute with almond milk for dairy-free option.
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying Maintain oil temperature for best frying results.
For the Fries
  • 4 large potatoes, cut into thin fries
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
Serving
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, mix together buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Add the chicken pieces and make sure they're submerged in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Prepare the Crispy Coating
  1. Combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in another large bowl. Mix until combined.
Coat & Fry the Chicken
  1. Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, coating it thoroughly. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the coated chicken in the hot oil and fry for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Cook the Fries
  1. While the chicken is frying, heat vegetable oil in a separate pan. Fry the potato wedges until golden brown or bake them at 425°F (220°C) until browned, then sprinkle salt over them before serving.
Serve & Enjoy
  1. Once the chicken is done, place it on a platter alongside the fries. Serve with ketchup and mayonnaise for dipping.

Notes

For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture. For a lighter option, consider baking instead of frying.