Southern Fried Chicken Spices
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What is the secret to fried chicken?
The key to making delicious Southern fried chicken is to find the right Southern fried chicken spices to make a seasoning blend.
Fried chicken spices are great for chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or even a whole chicken!
How do you make chicken taste good?
It can be hard to choose the right blend of Southern fried chicken spices on your own.
Combining spices can make something taste incredibly delicious – or ruin the taste completely.
For example, if a chicken dish is prepared with the right blend of spices, it will have an aromatic, delicious, and flavorful taste.
There’s no denying that chicken with a balance of tender meat on the inside and crispy skin seasoned to perfection on the outside is a recipe for success when making Southern fried chicken!
However, if the spices are not used or in the wrong proportions, the chicken will turn out to be very bland.
How do you give chicken more flavor?
By using a soul food Southern fried chicken recipe. A recipe that Black people created and perfected and an integral part of a soul food menu.
What’s the difference between Southern fried chicken and fried chicken?
The difference has everything to do with the Southern fried chicken seasoning and flavor!
Here’s how you can tell if a batch of fried chicken (chicken battered in flour) is a Southern soul food recipe:
Crunchy, flavorful outside with juicy, seasoned tender meat inside.
Yep – that’s a Black folks’ soul food Southern fried chicken recipe!
What are the basic spices?
Basic Southern fried chicken spices in the right proportions will do the job for you whether you’re frying or baking chicken.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red chili pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Lemon pepper
- Poultry seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
What seasonings do African Americans use?
Traditional African American food (soul food) is a favorite among people of all tastes and ages.
Each soul food cook has his/her own unique way of including special flavors in their food. Especially when preparing soul food Southern fried chicken.
Favorite soul food Southern fried chicken spices include:
- Paprika
Paprika is a spice made from sun-dried ground red peppers. It adds flavor to various recipes and has a distinctive, spicy taste and vibrant color. Paprika is available in several versions, including sweet, smoked, bittersweet, and spicy hot. It’s commonly used in Southern soul food cooking.
- Garlic powder
Garlic powder is made from dehydrated fresh garlic ground into a fine powder. Recipes will often call for garlic powder instead of fresh garlic only when the garlic flavor is desired but not the garlic itself.
- Onion powder
Onion powder is made from dehydrated fresh onion ground into a fine powder. The flavor of onion powder is sweet, oniony, and somewhat hot. Recipes will call for onion powder instead of fresh chopped onion only when an oniony flavor is desired.
- Mustard seed
Mustard seeds are the seeds of the mustard plant, a type of vegetable known for its intense aroma and spicy, tangy flavor. Many cuisines use the seeds as spices and in condiments and sauces, with the seeds ground or crushed before use.
- Red chili pepper
Red chili pepper is a spice blend consisting of one or two types of dried red chilies that are ground into a fine powder. It’s generally used to add spice to otherwise bland foods.
- Hot sauce
It is a condiment that typically comes in the form of a liquid sauce. It’s spicy, strong-flavored, and a bit tangy. Hot sauce’s origin is traced to the American South, said to be created by enslaved African Americans to add flavor to their food.
- BBQ sauce
BBQ sauce is a tomato-based sweet and tangy sauce. BBQ sauce combines tomato paste, sugar, and spices, often containing vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. It is a spicy, sweet, and tangy sauce often used in chicken recipes before and after cooking.
- Worcestershire sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a complex, savory, and liquid mix primarily made from fermented anchovies, vinegar, and various spices. It’s often used to add flavor during the cooking process.
Why does your fried chicken taste bland?
You’re likely not using any Southern fried chicken spices!
How to cook fried chicken?
Start with one of these flavorful Southern fried chicken spice blends!
Kitchen equipment for Southern fried chicken spices
Soul food Southern fried chicken seasoning
by The Soul Food Pot
- 1 ½ teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons of onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons of paprika
- ¾ teaspoon of red pepper (chili pepper)
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ¾ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided
- ½ cup of buttermilk
- 1 egg
Zesty Southern fried chicken seasoning
by The Soul Food Pot
- 1 ½ teaspoons of paprika
- ½ a teaspoon of mustard seed
- 1 ½ teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons of onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- ½ a teaspoon of grated bell pepper
- ½ a teaspoon of lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ¾ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided
- ½ cup of buttermilk
- 1 egg
Spicy Southern fried chicken seasoning
by Food Network
- Kosher salt to taste
- 4 teaspoons of light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of onion powder
- 2 tablespoons of sweet Hungarian paprika
- 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups of buttermilk
- ½ cup of hot sauce
- 2 large eggs
Buttermilk Dijon Southern fried chicken seasoning
by All Recipes
- 2 cups of buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
Are there any Southern fried chicken seasoning substitutes you can use?
You could use a Cajun seasoning in place of the poultry seasoning. Or white pepper in place of the red pepper/chili pepper.
Some Southern cooks also include a little soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce and an olive oil cooking spray for their baking dish when gathering their ingredients.
How do you make fried chicken from scratch?
Use any of the homemade Southern fried chicken recipes below with your choice of these Southern fried chicken spices.
What is the flavor of fried chicken?
Southern-style fried chicken is made using cuts of chicken seasoned with a perfect blend of Southern fried chicken spices, then dipped in egg batter and fried.
When fried chicken is done right, it has a crispy, rich crust and a juicy flavorful interior. Thanks to a well-balanced seasoning that’s rich, spicy, and salty but not overpowering.
What sauce goes with Black folks’ soul food, southern fried chicken?
Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an afternoon snack, one of these condiments is sure to be a favorite for Southern fried chicken.
What do you serve with soul food Southern fried chicken?
- Hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Pure honey
- Honey mustard
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
Southern fried chicken spices FAQs
Which part of the chicken should you use for this Black folks soul food Southern fried chicken recipe?
You can use Southern fried chicken spices on whatever chicken pieces you like!
Whole chicken, half, or just your favorite parts of the chicken – frozen chicken wings, legs, chicken breast, chicken thigh, boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, chicken legs, quarters, or drumsticks!
Do you season chicken before frying?
Soul food seasoning rule number one:
Always season your chicken or meat!
Seasoning chicken before frying allows the spices to penetrate the meat and helps release the flavor during the frying process.
How do you season chicken before cooking?
To make the best Southern fried chicken, use this tried, tested, and authentic soul food Southern fried chicken seasoning before cooking the chicken.
What type of flour should you use when making fried chicken?
All-purpose flour is best for frying soul food Southern fried chicken.
Can you add seasoning to the batter?
Yes, The Soul Food Pot’s signature Southern fried chicken seasoning for the flour batter is a mixture of:
- flour
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- red pepper
Should you season chicken and flour?
Yes, both, and always!
What spices mix well together?
The Soul Food Pot’s signature fried chicken seasoning is a simple mixture of:
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning (I use Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Seasoning)
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ¾ teaspoon of black pepper
Pro tips:
- Some Southern cooks like to use a baking sheet or a large bowl to separate the dark meat 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? Cornstarch for more crunch, or hot sauce for more heat!
Why add cornstarch to the fried chicken batter?
Some crispy fried chicken recipes call for cornstarch to bind and thicken the batter for an extra crunch!
What spices pair well with chicken?
Seasoning for the chicken:
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning (I use Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Seasoning)
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ¾ teaspoon of black pepper
Seasoning for the fried chicken flour mixture:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ¾ teaspoon of red pepper
Should you soak chicken in milk before frying?
Marinating chicken in buttermilk is a process that involves soaking meat for several hours to tenderize the meat and allow the flavors from seasoning to better infuse into the tender meat.
How do you infuse the chicken with flavor?
People often ask, “What does marinating chicken in buttermilk do?”
A buttermilk marinade makes for extraordinarily tender, moist, and flavorful chicken!
The buttermilk’s acidity helps break down protein structures in the chicken, so it becomes way less chewy and retains better moisture and flavor.
Should you dip chicken in egg before frying?
And do you dip chicken in egg or milk first?
If using The Soul Food Pot’s signature Southern fried chicken seasoning, the milk is mixed with the egg.
Then, before placing the buttermilk mixture coated chicken into the pre-heated oil, the chicken will go through a 3-step dredging process.
- 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 and egg mixture.
- Third, transfer the chicken to the last bag (or bowl) of flour and shake or toss until it’s very well coated.
How do you get crispy skin on fried chicken?
What keeps fried chicken crispy? It’s the oil temperature maintained at 350 degrees F.
Hot oil is essential when preparing fried chicken in a deep fryer, Dutch oven, or skillet because it’s the cooking agent for frying the chicken and achieving crispy skin.
The initial heat will burn some of the chicken’s fat, which is where that rich taste comes from.
What is the best oil to fry chicken?
What kind of oil is best for frying? Peanut oil is preferred for deep-frying because of its relatively high smoke point of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other oils have higher smoke points but impart a strong flavor to the food. Peanut oil is a mild-flavored oil, so it won’t interfere with the taste of the fried chicken.
Peanut oil has the least amount of saturated fats compared to other cooking oils, making it the best choice for frying chicken.
Do you have to fry chicken in peanut oil?
No, especially if you’re allergic to peanuts! Instead, try vegetable oil.
What is the use of a deep fryer?
A deep fryer is a wonderful invention that quickly fries foods like Southern fried chicken in deep oils at high temperatures, indoors or outdoors.
At what temperature do you cook soul food fried chicken?
The temperature to maintain the hot oil when deep-frying this Southern fried chicken recipe is 350 degrees F.
To keep the cooked chicken warm, allow it to drain in a closed container with a paper towel under the chicken.
Can this be made in an air fryer?
People often ask, do air fryers work for soul food Southern fried chicken?
The answer is yes, and you won’t believe how good and crispy chicken is when it’s air fryer fried chicken!
What is Nashville hot chicken?
As the name suggests, Nashville hot chicken is a spicy fried chicken dish that originated in Nashville, Tennessee.
It’s a spicy, fried chicken dipped in a cayenne pepper-based sauce, usually containing butter or margarine, and served on a bun with the option of extra hot sauce on the side!
What did you think about this recipe?
Did you enjoy these Southern fried chicken spices and seasoning blends?
Have you had it?
Would you make it?
Comment below and lemme know.
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Equipment
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- mixing bowls
Ingredients
Soul food Southern fried chicken seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ¾ teaspoon red pepper (chili pepper)
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour divided
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
Zesty Southern fried chicken seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard seed
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon bell pepper grated
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour divided
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
Spicy Southern fried chicken seasoning
- Kosher salt to taste
- 4 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 cups buttermilk
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 2 eggs large
Buttermilk Dijon Southern fried chicken seasoning
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Choose one of the above Southern fried chicken spice blends.
- Mix the seasoning ingredients for the chicken in a small bowl and set aside.
- Mix the seasoning ingredients for the flour in another bowl or resealable bag and set aside.
- How do you cook fried chicken? Check out these Southern fried chicken recipes HERE!