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Black Folks Soul Food-Southern Fried Chicken

Authentic Soul Food Recipes Collection | Soul Food Southern Fried Chicken

Feel like doing some real-deal Southern cooking?
How about authentic soul food recipes like Southern fried catfish with fried green tomatoes for Sunday dinner? Or fried okra with shrimp and grits? 
To create a traditional and authentic soul food meal, start here with this evergreen best recipe for soul food Southern fried chicken!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 6
Calories: 2187kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole • The Soul Food Pot®

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6-8 pieces chicken 6-8 pieces of chicken, or one 3-pound chicken cut into pieces
  • 48 oz peanut oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour divided
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon red pepper (chili pepper)
  • 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup of buttermilk = ½ cup of milk & ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Mix the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Rub the seasoning mixture all over each piece of chicken.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Mix the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl
  • Pour the peanut oil (preferred) or vegetable oil into a deep fryer, 6-quart skillet, or Dutch oven until the oil is 1-inch deep.
    Pour the peanut oil (preferred) or vegetable oil into a deep fryer, 6-quart skillet, or Dutch oven until the oil is 1-inch deep
  • Heat the oil over medium heat or until it reaches 350 degrees F.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Heat the oil over medium heat or until it reaches 350 degrees F
  • While you’re waiting for the oil to heat up, place 1 cup of the divided flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper in a medium-size mixing bowl or 1-gallon resealable food storage bag.
  • Shake (or mix) the sealed bag to combine the ingredients for a homemade poultry seasoning, and set the flour mixture aside.
    Mix the sealed bag to combine the ingredients for a homemade poultry seasoning, and set the flour mixture aside
  • Pour the second cup of flour into a second resealable bag (or medium-sized mixing bowl) and set it aside.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Pour the second cup of flour into a second resealable bag (or medium-sized mixing bowl) and set it aside
  • In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, and set that mixture aside too.
    In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, and set that mixture aside
  • The chicken will go through a 3-step process from here.
  • First, place the chicken in the bag (or bowl) of seasoned flour and shake or toss to coat the chicken evenly.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: First, place the chicken in the bag (or bowl) of seasoned flour and shake or toss to coat the chicken evenly
  • Second, shake off the excess flour and dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Second, shake off the excess flour and dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture
  • Third, transfer the chicken to the last bag (or bowl) of flour and shake or toss until it’s very well coated.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Third, transfer the chicken to the last bag (or bowl) of flour and shake or toss until it’s very well coated
  • Place the coated chicken into the pre-heated oil, skin-side down, and be careful not to overcrowd the chicken in the oil.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Place the coated chicken into the pre-heated oil
  • You can fry a second batch if need be to avoid overcrowding by frying all the chicken at once. Just make sure the hot oil remains at 350 degrees F.
    Make sure the hot oil remains at 350 degrees F
  • Cook the chicken pieces for 10 to 12 minutes, occasionally turning to prevent excessive browning.
    Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: Cook the chicken pieces for 10 to 12 minutes, occasionally turning to prevent excessive browning
  • As the chicken batter turns golden brown, remove it from the hot oil, and allow it to drain in a closed container (to keep the fried chicken warm) with a paper towel under the chicken.
    As the chicken batter turns golden brown, remove it from the hot oil
  • Serve soul food Southern fried chicken right away, and enjoy!
    Serve soul food Southern fried chicken right away, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Pro tips: 
  • Some Southern cooks like using a baking sheet or a large bowl to separate the dark and white meat. They dredge the dark meat first, fry, and then dredge the remaining chicken (the white meat) and fry.
  • What else can you use to season the flour? Other than a sprinkle of salt and pepper, some Southern fried chicken recipes even call for cornstarch to thicken the batter for extra crunch or hot sauce for more heat!
  • You may also consider a buttermilk brine or marinade to tenderize the chicken before frying.
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Fried Chicken Recipe Card by The Soul Food Pot

Nutrition

Calories: 2187kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 229g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 73g | Monounsaturated Fat: 105g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 615mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg
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