25 Best-Ever Fried Chicken Recipes

By Southern Living Editors
January 28, 2009
Oxmoor House
To put it in simple terms: Fried chicken is a crunchy, crispy, heavenly delight. Southerners are practically born knowing fried chicken and how it should look, taste, and smell—and we also know there's more than one way to make it taste just as good as Mama's. At least 25 ways, by our measure. These favorite fried chicken recipes are to be made over and over again, from our most simple recipes to the ones with all the bells and whistles.For a truly Southern take on fried chicken, fry up a batch of Mama’s Fried Chicken—simply seasoned with salt and pepper and soaked in buttermilk. It's the definition of "Don't mess with a good thing." From there, renditions are endless and equally crispy—from a batch that's brined with sweet tea to one that's covered in pepper gravy. Too busy to deep-fry? Try one of our oven-fried chicken recipes that get all of the texture of deep-frying with half the hassle (and oil!). We even included a few surprises, like chicken biscuits, chicken and waffles, and crunchy chicken salad. These aren't just like your mama's, but they come with a flair all their own. However you sizzle it, these fried chicken recipes will have you savoring every golden, extra crispy bite of this classic Southern food.
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How To Make Mama's Fried Chicken

Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken

Our most shared fried chicken recipe of all time, this Southern classic is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This recipe will take you back to the days when your mother used to fry her famous chicken. Soak your chicken in buttermilk at least two hours before frying. We promise – it'll be nothing short of finger-lickin'-good, sheer Southern comfort.

Enjoying a heaping helping of Mama’s Fried Chicken will be reminiscent of your childhood when Mama would tell you to play in the yard with your siblings after Sunday church while she prepared the meal. No doubt, it would be complete with mashed potatoes, collard greens, and mac & cheese. There isn’t any other dish as quintessentially Southern.

Are you curious about the secret to this decadent recipe? It’s the buttermilk. Soaking the chicken in buttermilk for at least two hour before frying will insure the dish is perfectly golden on the outside and tender on the inside. Of course, don’t forget to make chicken and waffles with the leftovers on Monday morning!

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Buttermilk-Soaked, Bacon-Fried Chicken in Gravy

Credit: Photo: John Lee

Recipe: Buttermilk-Soaked, Bacon-Fried Chicken in Gravy

Fried chicken doesn't get much more indulgent than this gravy-laden dish.

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Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Meet your new everyday fried chicken. This crispy, golden chicken is done with a quick pan-fry rather than a deep fry, making it slightly less heavy than the traditional fried stuff.

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Pam Lolley's Crispy Chicken with Rice and Pan Gravy

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Pam Lolley's Crispy Chicken with Rice and Pan Gravy

You won't find a tastier weeknight chicken dinner than this recipe. (And you can quote us on that.)

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Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

This recipe is a marriage of Southern favorites. A salty-sweet brine of brown sugar and freshly brewed tea infuses this picnic-perfect chicken with juicy flavor before frying.

Watch the Video: Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

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Fried Chicken Biscuits with Rosemary Hot Honey

Credit: Skyler Burt

Recipe: Fried Chicken Biscuits with Rosemary Hot Honey

We don't put this lightly: These chicken biscuits will make you fall in love. The rosemary-infused hot honey is Cupid's final blow.

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Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

One thing we know for sure: Buttermilk makes everything taste better. Biscuits, pancakes, and fried chicken...the list goes on.

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"Man Catching” Fried Chicken with Honey-Pecan Glaze

Credit: Photo by Erin Adams

Recipe: "Man Catching” Fried Chicken with Honey-Pecan Glaze

From the kitchen of Leah Stacey, Montgomery, Alabama: "I borrowed the recipe name from a former First Lady of Alabama who claimed her fried chicken had such powers."

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Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

This might be the only salad we want to eat as a dinner main. Ever. The chicken tenders taste like fried chicken—but with much less grease and mess.

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Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken Cutlets with Roasted Broccoli

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken Cutlets with Roasted Broccoli

A mixture of melted butter and Dijon mustard makes a flavorful dredging base before your chicken gets coated in crushed cornflakes and panko for maximum crunch.

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Fried Chicken Thighs & Biscuits

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Fried Chicken Thighs & Biscuits

Two Southern icons make the ultimate sandwich, generously topped with pickled green tomatoes and local honey.

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Crispy Oven-fried Drumsticks

Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Crispy Oven-Fried Drumsticks

We'd like two buckets, please. In this recipe, you'll find a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

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Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles

This bite-size recipe is perfect for a party, at any time of the day. Bonus: It makes it so easy for a big crowd to serve themselves.

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Hot Sauce Fried Chicken with Pickled Okra Slaw

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Hot Sauce Fried Chicken with Pickled Okra Slaw

If your mouth isn't already watering, an extra drizzle of hot sauce might do the trick.

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Oven-Fried Chicken with Spring Salad

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken with Spring Salad

This oven-frying method is simple enough to make fried chicken a reality even on the busiest weeknight.

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Fried Chicken Bites

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Chicken Bites

These fried chicken nuggets with a slightly spicy kick are great dipped in honey mustard or ranch dressing.

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Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce

You'll love every nutty, buttery bite of this chicken dinner—and that's a guarantee. Grab a few packages of cheese tortellini, and you're set in half an hour.

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Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad

Consider this recipe as a fresh spin on the much-loved Asian cold salad—but made even heartier with chicken tenders. The recipe calls for deli-fried chicken, but we suggest using the easy oven-frying method from our Oven-Fried Chicken Salad.

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Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Blistered Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Blistered Tomatoes

We'll make this modern twist on chicken piccata any day. It has the traditional sauce made from butter, lemon juice, capers, and white wine, but gets a burst of summery flavor from blistered tomatoes.

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Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Recipe: Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham-Parmesan

When you need a quick family meal, look no further than this 30-minute meal. Serve over Garlic-Herb Pasta.

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Chicken Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Peppery Chicken Fried Chicken

Serve this ultimate Southern dish at your next dinner party, and you’ll be sure to get plenty of compliments.

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Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Recipe: Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Saltines and pecans give the ultimate crunch. The whole family will love these chicken tenders.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Fried Chicken

This award-winning recipe takes ordinary fried chicken up a notch by melting pimiento cheese inside the chicken breasts.

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Spicy Curried Fried Chicken

Recipe: Spicy Curried Fried Chicken

Adding just a hint of the popular Indian spice gives your fried chicken a flavorful kick.

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Fried Chicken Wings

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Chicken Wings

Soak chicken twice in the egg-milk mixture and double-dredge in the highly seasoned flour for a superior crust. When serving, brighten up fried wings with lemon slices and parsley leaves. Voilá!

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