How To Fry Chicken

By Southern Living

Follow our four-step guide for perfectly seasoned and evenly cooked fried chicken every time.

Fried chicken is, quite simply, a decadent delight. Once you learn how to fry chicken you can master the art of crunchy skin and moist, tender meat. Here our Test Kitchen Professionals show you four steps to perfectly fried chicken every time. You’ll need to soak the chicken in buttermilk. Then, you dredge it in flour and shake off the excess. Our Test Kitchen Professionals recommend that when you use a cast-iron pan because it conducts heat evenly. You’ll cook the chicken covered, then uncovered, and turn it to be sure it is cooked evenly. If you follow these simple steps, you will have perfect fried chicken every time. Enjoy our guide on how to fry chicken. Follow the steps, make your own, and then dig into the crunchy delight.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken

Receiving glowing reviews, this recipe takes you back to the days when your mother used to fry her famous chicken. It's nothing but sheer Southern comfort and real finger-lickin' good!

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Step 1: Soak Chicken in Buttermilk

Photo: Oxmoor House

Place seasoned chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top plastic freezer bag and add buttermilk. Cover and chill.

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Step 2: Dredge Chicken in Flour

Photo: Oxmoor House

Dredge chicken in flour; shake off excess. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet while oil heats.

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Step 3: Cook Chicken in Cast-Iron Skillet

Photo: Oxmoor House

Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil to 360° in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. (Cast iron is a great conductor of heat.) Add chicken, a few pieces at a time. Cover and cook 6 minutes. Covering helps hold in the heat to cook the chicken evenly. Uncover, and cook 9 minutes.

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Step 4: Turn Chicken and Finish Cooking

Photo: Oxmoor House

Turn chicken. Cover and cook 6 minutes. Uncover and cook 5 to 9 minutes, turning chicken the last 3 minutes for even browning.

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Southern Living Home Cooking Basics

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