Best 7 Simple Southern Style Unfried Chicken Recipes

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Welcome to the world of Southern cooking, where comfort food reigns supreme. In this article, we'll embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of preparing simple Southern-style unfried chicken. We'll delve into the techniques and ingredients that make this dish an iconic representation of Southern cuisine, exploring the nuances of flavor that set it apart from other chicken dishes. Along the way, we'll provide tips for selecting the best chicken, choosing the right seasonings, and ensuring a perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy chicken that will leave you craving for more. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and let's begin our exploration of this delectable Southern classic.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHERN UNFRIED CHICKEN



Southern Unfried Chicken image

If you're craving a true southern staple like fried chicken but you don't want to feel guilty afterwards, then Chef Art Smith has the perfect solution Southern Unfried Fried Chicken. Packed with tons of flavor and crunch, you won't even miss the real thing!

Provided by Ginsburg Enterprises

Categories     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally
1 1/2 cups whole wheat or regular Panko bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge chicken breasts in marinade and allow to soak at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).
  • While chicken is marinating, in a large resealable plastic bag, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, ground red pepper, paprika, and salt, if desired. Shake to blend.
  • Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Using tongs, remove chicken from marinade and place in bag with bread crumb mixture. Shake well, until chicken is evenly coated with bread crumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet and chill uncovered in refrigerator 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat each chicken breast with cooking spray.
  • Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until no pink remains.

UN-FRIED CHICKEN



Un-Fried Chicken image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Louisiana Hot Sauce
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 cups multi-grain panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 lemon, quartered, plus 1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Combine the buttermilk and hot sauce in a shallow bowl. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper and submerge in the buttermilk mixture.
  • Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and a pinch each of salt and black pepper in a shallow dish. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off, and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated. Lay the pieces flat on a nonstick baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake the chicken until just cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Divide the chicken among 4 plates and squeeze the lemon over the chicken.

SOUTHERN STYLE DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN



Southern Style Deep-Fried Chicken image

Provided by Nigella Lawson : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h40m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 chicken drumsticks, skin on
2 chicken thighs, skin on, bone in
3 to 4 cups milk
2 1/4 cups solid vegetable shortening, for frying
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

  • In a medium pan, place chicken and cover with milk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight. This helps tenderize the meat, but is optional
  • In a large saucepan over a medium-high heat, using tongs, transfer chicken into pot, then pour in the milk. Bring milk to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low allowing to simmer until the chicken is cooked through entirely, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the milk, and place on a rack to cool. Allow them to sit until warm about 15 minutes, and then pat dry using a kitchen towel.
  • Heat vegetable shortening in a Dutch oven over high heat just until it's nearly at the smoking point around 325 degrees F.
  • In a large zip-lock bag, add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, shake to combine.
  • In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg.
  • Place each piece of chicken, 1 at a time, in the bag and shake to coat the chicken. Then dip chicken into the egg to coat. Place the chicken back into the flour to coat for a second time. Repeat this method on remaining 3 pieces of chicken.
  • Gently drop each piece of chicken into hot oil, allowing the skin to crisp and turn golden brown in color, about 1 minute per side. Remove from the oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately.

SIMPLE SOUTHERN-STYLE 'UNFRIED' CHICKEN



Simple Southern-Style 'Unfried' Chicken image

Enjoy crispy, Southern-style Chicken with this Southern-Style 'Unfried' Chicken recipe. Made with chicken, KRAFT Lite Ranch Dressing and SHAKE 'N BAKE Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix, this Southern-Style 'Unfried' Chicken tastes like the fried chicken you love-without being fried!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 whole chicken (4 lb.), cut up
1/2 cup KRAFT Lite Ranch Dressing
1 pkt. SHAKE 'N BAKE Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix

Steps:

  • Remove skin from all chicken pieces except wings. Place chicken in large resealable plastic bag. Add dressing. Seal bag; turn to evenly coat chicken with dressing. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.
  • Heat oven to 400°F. Place coating mix in pie plate or shallow dish. Dip chicken in coating mix, turning to evenly coat both sides of each piece. Place in single layer on baking sheet. Sprinkle with any remaining coating mix. Discard bag and marinade.
  • Bake 40 to 45 min. or until chicken is done (165°F).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 210, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Sodium 520 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 23 g

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN



Southern Fried Chicken image

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

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

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

SOUTHERN-STYLE OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN



Southern-Style Oven-Fried Chicken image

I call this America's best-loved oven-fried chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. -Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50)
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
2 large eggs
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Place a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; coat the rack with cooking spray., In a shallow bowl, mix the first seven ingredients. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk eggs. Dip chicken in eggs, then in cracker mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Place on prepared rack., Bake 20 minutes. Turn chicken; bake until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 15-25 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418 calories, Fat 22g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 638mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN



Classic Southern Fried Chicken image

Super crunchy, classic Southern fried chicken with a slightly salty, flavorful bite. The meat is tender and juicy, and the exterior is light and crispy. Take your time with this... let the soak happen overnight and cook in batches. Cook extra because who doesn't love cold fried chicken? Serve with mashed potatoes and coleslaw with soft rolls to create that perfect bite.

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Time 5h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 pounds bone-in chicken drumsticks and thighs, with skin
4 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (such as Crystal ®)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 quart vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Steps:

  • Combine chicken, buttermilk, hot sauce, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large, non-reactive bowl. Stir until chicken is well coated. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  • Combine flour, 2 teaspoons salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, remaining 1 teaspoon pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl; whisk until well combined.
  • Remove chicken from the refrigerator. Working with one piece at a time, remove from the marinade and allow excess to drip off. Coat evenly in the flour mixture, and set on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Pour oil into a large Dutch oven to a depth of 1 inch. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Add a few chicken pieces to the hot oil and cook, turning once or twice, until golden brown on the outside, no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Maintain the oil temperature around 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) during cooking. Remove chicken to a clean wire rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Return oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and repeat to fry remaining chicken.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 695.4 calories, Carbohydrate 45.5 g, Cholesterol 141.7 mg, Fat 33.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 50.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 1558 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right chicken: For the best flavor and texture, choose a whole chicken or chicken breasts that are free-range and organic.
  • Brine the chicken: Brining the chicken in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar helps to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Season the chicken generously: Use a variety of spices and herbs to season the chicken, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  • Cook the chicken over medium heat: This will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through: The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion:

Unfried chicken is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, unfried chicken is a great option. With a little planning and preparation, you can make a delicious and satisfying unfried chicken dish that your family and friends will love.

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