Our Favorite Fried Chicken Recipes

By Southern Living

Craving a little down-home comfort? Try one of our top-rated perfectly fried chicken recipes.

Fried chicken is a crunchy delight. These recipes show you how to make it even more delicious, with hints on how to make even the simplest fried chicken crisp and light. For truly Southern takes on fried chicken, fry a batch of Mama’s Fried Chicken—simply seasoned with salt and pepper, and soaked in buttermilk, this is a mouthwatering delight. Or, enjoy the Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken. For spicier takes on this tasty treat, enjoy the Crispy Oven-fried Drumsticks—they have the texture of deep-frying without the oil, or fill a pan with the Peppery Chicken Fried Chicken, which mixes black pepper and red pepper, and uses saltine crackers for the crust. However they sizzle, these fried chicken recipes will have you savoring the crispy tastes of this Southern classic food.

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Buttermilk-Soaked, Bacon-Fried Chicken in Gravy

Photo: John Lee

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

Fried chicken doesn't get much more indulgent than this. 

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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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Fried Chicken Wings

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.

Watch Alex Hitz make his famous fried chicken

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Hot Sauce Fried Chicken with Pickled Okra Slaw

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Hot Sauce Fried Chicken with Pickled Okra Slaw

Ready in 35 Minutes.  Fried chicken is a dinner staple in the South. If your mouth isn't already watering, a drizzle of hot sauce might do the trick with this savory meal.

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"Man Catching” Fried Chicken with Honey-Pecan Glaze

Photo by Erin Adams

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

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

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Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

A marriage of Southern favorites: Our salty-sweet brine of brown sugar and freshly brewed tea infuses this picnic-perfect chicken with juicy flavor before frying. Bonus: The tannins in tea act as a natural tenderizer.

Watch Us Make It: Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken Recipe Video

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Fried Chicken Thighs & Biscuits

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Fried Chicken Thighs & Biscuits

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

 

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Crispy Oven-fried Drumsticks

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Crispy Oven-fried Drumsticks

These oven-fried chicken drumsticks have a satisfyingly crunchy texture. We loved the flavor results when we used 1/2 tsp. red pepper. Use 1/4 tsp. for kids.

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Peppery Chicken Fried Chicken

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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Fried Chicken Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Chicken Bites

These spicy fried chicken nuggets are great dipped in honey mustard or blue cheese dressing.

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Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Soaking the chicken in buttermilk for a lengthy amount of time keeps it extra tender and juicy. The pieces quickly brown in a skillet and then get a fuss-free finish in the oven.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Fried Chicken

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. Garnish with freshly chopped chives and enjoy.

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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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Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken

Southern Living

Recipe: Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken

Those that love their fried chicken crispy will love this Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken recipe. This recipe features chicken breasts, but also tastes great on skinned and boned chicken thighs.

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Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham Parmesan

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

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

This quick family meal can be ready in less than 30 minutes and is perfect for a busy weeknight. Serve pan-fried chicken over Garlic-Herb Pasta.

Cooking Video: Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham-Parmesan

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Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken

Recipe: Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken

For a quicker version, substitute 3 cups chili-flavored corn chips for regular, and omit spices.

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Mom's Fried Chicken

Southern Living

Recipe: Mom's Fried Chicken

If you’re in the mood for a quick, old-fashioned meal of fried chicken, look no further than Mom’s Fried Chicken. It has just the right amount of flavor for the whole family to enjoy.

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Timely Fried Chicken

Recipe: Timely Fried Chicken

If you have some extra time, be sure to try our Timely Fried Chicken. The chicken must chill in its mixture for 2 hours, but the end result is juicy, flavorful fried chicken that’s sure to please.

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Our Best Southern Fried Chicken

Recipe: Our Best Southern Fried Chicken

Look no further for that perfect fried chicken recipe. Southerners will find this favorite to be a mouth-watering treasure that they will return to again and again.

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