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Crispy Small Town Nostalgia Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken

blue ribbon fried chicken - featured image
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A nostalgic, crispy fried chicken recipe featuring a buttermilk marinade and double-dipped flour coating for extra crunch. Perfect for family meals and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended)
  • 2 cups buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 2 tbsp lemon juice)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 4 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, pour 2 cups of buttermilk over the 3 pounds of chicken pieces. Add 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the marinade, stir, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  2. Prepare the coating: In another large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and optional ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Heat the oil: Pour 4 cups of vegetable or peanut oil into a large heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan, heating to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
  4. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. For extra crunch, dip the coated chicken back into the buttermilk quickly, then coat again in the flour mixture.
  5. Fry the chicken: Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Adjust heat as needed to maintain temperature.
  6. Drain and rest: Remove chicken with tongs and place on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  7. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to avoid steaming the chicken. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best results. Let chicken rest on a wire rack after frying to keep crust crispy. Double-dipping in buttermilk and flour mixture enhances crunch. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with almond milk plus vinegar or lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried chicken, crispy fried chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, southern fried chicken, family meal, comfort food, easy fried chicken

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/crispy-small-town-nostalgia-blue-ribbon-fried-chicken-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-family-meals/