Instant Pot Southern Fried Chicken

The Instant Pot can be your secret weapon for making authentic soul food Southern fried chicken, saving you hours in the kitchen! An electric pressure cooker significantly reduces cooking time compared to traditional methods, like marinating the chicken in buttermilk, eliminating the need to soak overnight.

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Pressure Release Time: 10

Total Time: 50

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food

Servings:

Calories: 2251kcal

Author: Shaunda Necole

Equipment

Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Large cast iron skillet 8-10" skillet (cast iron skillet preferred)
Whisk
Fried chicken scissor tong

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Instant Pot buttermilk brine

3 cups buttermilk You can make homemade buttermilk with 3 cups of milk and 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for the Southern fried chicken

6-8 pieces 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
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
1 ½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon red pepper (chili pepper)
¾ teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
½ cup buttermilk You can make homemade buttermilk with ½ cup of milk and ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Instructions for the Instant Pot buttermilk marinade chicken brine

To make homemade buttermilk, use 3 cups of milk and 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. In a medium-sized bowl, stir the two ingredients together and let them sit for 5 minutes.
Open the Instant Pot lid and add the buttermilk and 1 teaspoon of salt to the stainless steel inner pot.
Add the chicken pieces, skin-side up, to the pot with the buttermilk. (How can you use this recipe without the Instant Pot? Allow the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk for 4 hours to overnight.)
Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is in the sealing position – up) and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes.
To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot (you can discard the buttermilk) and set the chicken pieces aside on a rimmed baking sheet to cool off to the touch.

Instructions for the Southern fried chicken

Mix the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Rub the seasoning mixture all over each piece of chicken.
Pour the oil into the skillet until it's approximately 1 inch deep or half full.
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.
Pour the second cup of flour into a second resealable bag (or medium-sized mixing bowl) and set it aside.
Whisk together ½ a cup of buttermilk and egg in another medium-sized bowl, and set that mixture aside too.
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.
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.
Place the coated chicken into the pre-heated oil, skin-side down, and be careful not to overcrowd the chicken in the 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.
Cook the chicken pieces for 10 to 15 minutes on each side, occasionally flipping them to prevent excessive browning.
As the chicken turns golden brown and crispy, remove it from the hot oil and place it in a closed container lined with a paper towel to keep it warm and absorb excess oil. (Until you know how “done” fried chicken looks, use an internal meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F, indicating it is fully cooked.) Then, serve right away, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

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