Welcome to the delightful world of Southern fried chicken, where crispy, golden-brown exteriors meet tender, juicy interiors, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic comfort food, often associated with family gatherings and celebrations, can be transformed into a healthier version without compromising its iconic taste. In this article, we will guide you through the secrets of preparing a healthier rendition of Southern fried chicken, using wholesome ingredients and cooking techniques that maintain its crispy texture and succulent flavor. Get ready to indulge in a guilt-free culinary experience that blends the nostalgic flavors of the South with a modern emphasis on health and well-being.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
This recipe is originally from Alabama, and has been passed down for generations.
Provided by Cindy Garrick
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Fried Chicken Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Roll in flour.
- Add 1/2 to 3/4 inch oil to a large, heavy skillet. Heat to approximately 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Place chicken pieces in hot oil. Cover, and fry until golden, turning once, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 491.3 calories, Carbohydrate 16.1 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Fat 32 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 32.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 93.7 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
CLASSIC SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 200 F and place a rack in a large baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine the milk and eggs. Whisk to blend well.
- In a large heavy-duty resealable plastic food storage bag, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons salt, and pepper. Seal and shake to combine.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the milk and egg mixture and let excess drip off into the bowl. Set already dipped pieces aside on a plate until you have three or four.
- Add the dipped chicken pieces to the bag of seasoned flour.
- Seal the bag and shake well to coat the chicken pieces thoroughly.
- Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
- Heat the oil in a deep, heavy skillet to 350 F. While it's heating up, set aside a large serving plate lined with paper towels.
- Fry the chicken, a few pieces at a time, for about 10 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Be careful not to put too many chicken pieces in at once-even if they can comfortably fit-since this will dramatically drop the temperature of the oil, affecting the crispness of the final product. Note that chicken breasts will take a little less time than dark meat pieces.
- With a slotted spoon, move the done chicken pieces onto the paper towel-lined platter to drain. Sprinkle immediately with salt.
- Transfer the drained and seasoned chicken to the prepared pan with a rack. Keep warm in the preheated oven while frying subsequent batches. Depending on the size of your pan, this recipe will require about 3 to 4 batches.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1525 kcal, Carbohydrate 65 g, Cholesterol 527 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 123 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Sodium 3575 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 82 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
HEALTHY SOUTHERN "FRIED" CHICKEN
Discovered this recipe years ago in a church cookbook and have been making it ever since. The recipe calls for 2 lbs. of frying chicken cut up, but I typically make it with boneless, skinless chicken breast. The grandchildren love it. The chicken bakes up nicely-- tender, juicy, and just, plain good.
Provided by Suzie
Categories Chicken
Time 1h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine breadcrumbs and spices in paper bag.
- Brush chicken with water.
- Place pieces of chicken in paper bag (a few at a time); shake to coat.
- Place on non-stick cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until tender.
CRISPY SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Provided by Food Network
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- BEAT together egg, water and 1/4 cup oil in large bowl. Add sugar, salt and flour. Mix until smooth.
- HEAT remaining 1 1/2 cups oil to 360 degrees F in deep skillet. Dip chicken pieces, one piece at a time, into batter. Fry 20 to 30 minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork (165 degrees F). Turn chicken often for even browning.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Steps:
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Roll in flour. Deep fry in large skillet until juices run clear and crust is golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
SOUTHERN-STYLE BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN
This is a down home recipe that I have used for years, and thought I would share it! The buttermilk marinade is terrific and is such a comfort food. However this is not a recipe that can be done quickly, but the wait is WELL worth it!
Provided by pinkchef
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Fried Chicken Recipes
Time 3h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Whisk together buttermilk, mustard, salt and pepper, and cayenne in a bowl, and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours.
- When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and onion powder in the other plastic bag. Shake to mix thoroughly. Transfer one marinated chicken piece at a time into the dry ingredient bag, and shake well to ensure complete coverage. After all chicken pieces are coated, repeat the process by dipping them in the buttermilk marinade and shaking in the dry coating again.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, making sure not to burn the oil. When oil is hot, fry chicken in batches until golden brown and juices run clear, turning chicken to brown evenly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Cholesterol 77.1 mg, Fat 26.7 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 29.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 650.4 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
REAL SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
As a Yankee originally from Vermont, I didn't know one fried chicken from another. They all seemed pretty much the same to me. Tasting the Southern version opened my eyes! A side of hot biscuits served with butter and honey is practically mandatory. -Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk 2 cups buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken; turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Meanwhile, place remaining buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and remaining salt and pepper. Place half of flour mixture in another shallow bowl (for a second coat of breading). Drain chicken, discarding marinade; pat chicken dry. Dip in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in buttermilk, allowing excess to drain off. For the second coat of breading, dip chicken in remaining flour mixture, patting to help coating adhere., Fry chicken, a few pieces at a time, 4-5 minutes on each side or until browned and juices run clear. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 580 calories, Fat 39g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 628mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 37g protein.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Great for feeding a crowd, simply kick back, enjoy and relax this fried chicken recipe with homemade slaw
Provided by Lulu Grimes
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the chicken in a bowl and pour over the milk. Tip the flour and spices into a large plastic bag and add a large pinch of salt and a good grinding of pepper.
- Heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Take half of the chicken out of the milk, shake off any excess and put in the bag of seasoned flour. Hold the top closed and shake well. Lift the pieces out and shake off any excess, but don't do this too hard or you'll end up with no coating. Lower the pieces into the oil and fry on each side until golden and crisp - don't overdo it as the chicken is being baked next and will brown further. Use tongs to turn the chicken and try not to tear the coating. Transfer to a rack set in a roasting tin. Repeat with the rest of the chicken.
- Bake for 30 mins until cooked - check one drumstick and one thigh with a skewer - cook for longer if you need to.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 333 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 20 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium
BEST SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Here's a traditional southern fried chicken recipe. My husband is a ham radio operator and we've shared this recipe with folks from all over the world. -Jo Ruh, Covington, Kentucky
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a shallow bowl, beat eggs and milk. In another bowl, combine flour and seasonings. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then in flour mixture. , In a large skillet; brown chicken in oil on both sides. Cover and cook the chicken over low heat for 45 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove chicken from the skillet; keep warm. Reserve 1/4 cup drippings in skillet. , For gravy, stir in the flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until browned. Combine milk and water; add to skillet. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add browning sauce if desired. Serve with chicken. Garnish with oregano if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 551 calories, Fat 40g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 680mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 26g protein.
Tips:
- Brining the chicken: Soaking the chicken in a brine solution of salt, sugar, and water helps to tenderize the meat and lock in moisture, resulting in juicier, more flavorful chicken.
- Using buttermilk: Buttermilk is a key ingredient in many Southern fried chicken recipes. It helps to tenderize the chicken and gives it a slightly tangy flavor.
- Coating the chicken: The chicken should be coated in a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and other seasonings before frying. This coating helps to create a crispy, golden-brown crust.
- Frying the chicken: The chicken should be fried in hot oil until it is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure that it is safe to eat.
- Draining the chicken: After frying, the chicken should be drained on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Conclusion:
Southern fried chicken is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger meal. By following these tips, you can create perfectly fried chicken that is crispy, juicy, and flavorful. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or green beans, for a complete and satisfying meal.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love