Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, Buttermilk Fried Chicken is the ultimate comfort food. Learn tips and tricks so you can make a perfect batch every time!
Whether your grandma made it, your mama or your favorite restaurant, there is something about a crispy, succulent buttermilk fried chicken that just screams comfort food.
With a few tips, tricks and step by step photos. I’m going to show you how you can make perfect buttermilk chicken every time.
First, you may be asking yourself, why is buttermilk great for marinating? Buttermilk is great for marinating chicken because it is not too acidic. It is acidic enough to help tenderize the meat without making it tough. Which is exactly what you want when you’re making any kind of meat.
DES’ TIP: Don’t have your own buttermilk? You can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar to just under one cup of milk. Let it set for 5 minutes so that the milk will sour. And voilà buttermilk! I’ve used it when making this chicken, buttermilk ranch dressing and my favorite buttermilk waffles!
While buttermilk is a great tenderizer on its own, adding some flavor is always a great idea. To add some extra flavor to this marinade, you’ll add some sliced onions, garlic and hot sauce.
STEP 1: To make buttermilk fried chicken, combine the buttermilk, onions, garlic and hot sauce together. Pour over chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
STEP 2: Combine seasonings and flour together in a container with a lid or a resealable plastic bag.
STEP 3: Place chicken in the flour into container and shake to coat. Allow to set for 15 minutes.
STEP 4: This cooking method is the key to making perfect buttermilk fried chicken. Heat 1 – 1 1/2 inches of oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat to 350 degrees. Once the oil is hot lay 4 pieces of chicken in the oil, skin side down, and cover for 6 – 7 minutes or until browned. Turn the chicken and cook another 6 – 7 minutes. Remove the lid and cook an additional 2 minutes or until it is golden brown.
DES’ TIP: If you find yourself asking “Why is my fried chicken not crispy?” it could be that you are overcrowding the pan. When a frying pan is overcrowded the food tends to steam rather than fry. This is why I suggest cooking this chicken, and all fried food, in batches if you frying pan is not big enough.
It is also important to place your fried chicken on a cooling rack instead of paper towels to drain. This allows air to circulate around the chicken which helps keep the skin crispy.
So this next part is totally optional, but you should totally give it a try. Buttermilk fried chicken is fantastic on it’s own but pair it with pan gravy, and you’ve got comfort food heaven!
And really, how do you say no to gravy?
Whenever I make buttermilk fried chicken, I can’t let all those good pan drippings go to waste. Instead, I like to use them to make a pan gravy and it could not be easier.
STEP 1: Discard all but 3 tablespoons of the oil. Keep any of the brown bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan.
STEP 2: Whisk in the flour and allow it to cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Just until it starts to brown.
STEP 3: Slowly whisk in chicken broth.
STEP 4: Continue cooking until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
For a comfort food meal that rivals any Sunday supper at Grandma’s, you have got to serve this with creamy homemade mashed potatoes and southern style green beans.
If you liked this Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe, you will love these other Southern Recipes:
Looking for more ways to cook chicken? Here are some of my most popular chicken recipes:
Note: this post was originally published in 2009 and updated in 2020 with new step by step photos, tips and nutrition facts.
Kevin
May 15, 2020 at 8:52 amI do love a good fried chicken recipe! I cannot wait to try yours!
Haley D. Williams
May 13, 2020 at 10:10 amI don’t know which I like more… the chicken or the gravy!
Allyson Zea
May 13, 2020 at 9:12 amThis chicken looks absolutely delicious, the gravy was a hit
Vikki
May 12, 2020 at 11:01 pmMade this for dinner and everyone loved it. Best fried chicken ever!
Dorothy Reinhold
May 12, 2020 at 6:47 pmI really want a good comfort food dinner! This will be perfect!!
Deseree
May 12, 2020 at 8:18 pmIt will!
Cathy
May 12, 2020 at 6:19 pmThis is seriously the BEST fried chicken recipe!! So crispy and flavorful!
Deseree
May 12, 2020 at 8:17 pmThank you! It is!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
May 12, 2020 at 5:26 pmThis Buttermilk Fried Chicken looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Deseree
May 12, 2020 at 8:18 pmIt is! Thank you!
Mrs. L
August 24, 2009 at 11:00 amHow did you know I was craving home-made fried chicken? This sounds delish!
Angelia McGowan
August 24, 2009 at 9:46 amThat looks delicious, I have actually never made buttermilk fried chicken, always with egg instead. I always use buttermilk with catfish. Never had the milk gravy for dinner, good idea. I get stuck in my ways, and am glad to find great recipes like yours to get me unstuck!
Jessie
August 24, 2009 at 9:08 amdelicious! I need to try that pan gravy dip the next time I make chicken
Claudia
August 22, 2009 at 5:49 pmMy family is a huge fried chicken fan and this looks just like what they crave. Will try – grand recipe.
zoe
August 22, 2009 at 6:01 amThis looks absolutely amazing! I am craving fried chicken for breakfast!
Memoria
August 21, 2009 at 5:25 pmO-M-G! This looks and sounds so good!!!!!! If I weren’t on my diet, I would make this right this second. YUM!! I love chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes.