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4.59 from 63 votes

Buttermilk-Brined Southern Fried Chicken

Traditional, authentic, deep-fried buttermilk-brined southern fried chicken by a true Southern Belle! Learn the secrets to the juiciest meat, the crunchiest crust, and most flavorful fried chicken you've ever had.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Additional Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern
Servings: 10 pieces
Calories: 300kcal
Author: Britt

Ingredients

Brine

  • 10 pieces of chicken
  • 5 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 3 springs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Flour Coating

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1-2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or two gallon-sized zip-top bags, put brine herbs and spices in. Pour buttermilk into the bowl and whisk up to mix buttermilk and seasoning together. Add chicken pieces and make sure each piece is submerged in the buttermilk. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight most prefered. You can brine the chicken to up to 24 hours.
  • When you're ready to start frying, begin bringing a 6 quart enamel cast iron dutch oven (or any other large, heavy bottom pot) filled half-way with vegetable oil to temperature. Use a candy/oil thermometer to bring oil to 325 degrees F. When you place the stem of a wooden spoon in the oil, it should start to bubble around it. That's when you know it's ready. This is a good way to test the oil temperature if you don't have a thermometer.
  • Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
  • While oil is coming to temp, in a large bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and spices and herbs. Splash a bit of brine, about 4 tbsp, into the flour.
  • Take each piece of chicken out of the brine and coat well in the flour mixture. Let rest on a plate, repeat until each piece is coated in flour. Let rest for 5 minutes, then dip each piece back into the flour mixture and let rest again for 5-10 minutes.
  • Have a wire rack over a baking sheet prepared on a counter next to your range. Fry your chicken pieces, 2-4 pieces at a time, for about 20-22 minutes. When batch is done, place on prepared wire rack over the baking sheet and put into the warm oven. This will keep the batches warm while you finish frying. Repeat this step until complete.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Eat with baked macaroni and cheese, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet tea, and buttermilk biscuits. Drizzle with honey or serve with gravy.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal