Food and Recipes Cooking Tips and Techniques How To Fry Chicken By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 10, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: 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. 01 of 06 Mama's Fried Chicken Southern Living 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. 02 of 06 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. 03 of 06 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. 04 of 06 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. 05 of 06 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. 06 of 06 Southern Living Home Cooking Basics Oxmoor House Do you love good food and want to master everyday cooking techniques? Then, Home Cooking Basics is your solution to becoming a great cook. Get Your Copy of Southern Living Home Cooking Basics Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit