Southern Fried Chicken Wings Recipe
This post may contain affiliate partner links. View our privacy statement HERE.
Nothing says soul food like this Southern fried chicken wings recipe!
From the carefully crafted seasoning blend that adds depth and richness to the chicken. To the three-step coating process that ensures the perfect crunch. This Southern fried chicken wings recipe is soul food at its finest.
When it comes to good old-fashioned comfort food, few dishes can rival the timeless appeal of fried chicken.
What are Southern fried chicken wings?
There’s just something magical about the crispy, golden exterior and the juicy, tender meat that hits all the right notes.
And nothing shouts “Game day snack” or tailgating food like a big round platter of fried chicken wings surrounded by a refreshing pile of Southern coleslaw and a fluffy loaf of cornbread.
Not the chicken breast, chicken thighs, or other chicken piece.
Southern fried chicken wings are the little morsels of deliciousness – the snack version of iconic Southern fried chicken. Delivering all the mouthwatering flavors in the form of convenient finger food.
This recipe begins with a homemade seasoning blend that adds the right balance of spices to the chicken.
The wings are then coated in a seasoned flour mixture, followed by a generous buttermilk-egg mixture, and finally dredged in flour again to ensure a crunchy and flavorful outer layer.
Finally, these chicken wings are fried until golden brown, making them a mouthwatering dish suitable for any occasion.
Whether enjoyed on a lazy weekend afternoon or as a crowd-pleasing snack during game night, this Southern fried chicken wings recipe will satisfy your cravings and leave your taste buds begging for more!
What is the secret to good fried chicken?
People often ask, “How do you make the best fried chicken wings recipe?”
The secret to good fried chicken is a recipe that includes the following three components for making crunchy and flavorful chicken on the outside with juicy, seasoned, tender meat inside!
Check out the instructions for a Southern fried chicken wings recipe below.
Kitchen equipment for Southern fried chicken wings
Ingredients for a Southern fried chicken wings recipe
- 6-8 chicken wings
- 48 oz. of peanut oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon of paprika
- ¾ teaspoon of red pepper (chili pepper)
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning/seasoned salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup of buttermilk (½ cup of buttermilk = ½ cup of milk & ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar)
You can make the buttermilk for this recipe yourself. Because let’s be real – it’s not a common pantry ingredient!
Buttermilk for this recipe: ½ cup of buttermilk = ½ cup of milk + ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Instructions for a Southern fried chicken wings recipe
- Mix the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub the seasoning mixture all over each piece of chicken.
- 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.
- While 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 the buttermilk and egg in another medium-sized bowl, and set that mixture aside too.
- The chicken wings 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 well coated.
- Place the coated chicken wings into the preheated oil, skin-side down, and be careful not to overcrowd the chicken in the oil.
- You can fry a second batch to avoid overcrowding by frying all the chicken at once. Just make sure the hot oil remains at 350 degrees F.
- Cook the chicken wings 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.
- Serve this soul food Southern fried chicken wings recipe right away, and enjoy!
Can you use the air fryer with this recipe?
Do air fryers work for soul food Southern fried chicken? The answer is yes, and you won’t believe how good and crispy it tastes!
Air fryer chicken is a healthy and crispy alternative to deep-fried chicken. And yes, this can be cooked in an oven air fryer.
Can you make this recipe in your Instant Pot?
Frying in the Instant Pot will yield an undesirable chicken.
So instead, check out this recipe HERE for using the pressure cooker to tenderize the chicken with a buttermilk marinade. This helps the soul food seasoning and flavors to quickly infuse into the meat.
What do you serve with soul food Southern fried chicken?
You can start with a recipe that’s both salty and sweet – soul food chicken and waffles!
What sides should you eat with chicken wings?
Several soul food sides are favorites when serving Southern fried chicken from baked macaroni and cheese to Southern potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, Southern coleslaw, or collard greens.
Then pair with refreshing drinks like Southern sweet tea or homemade lemonade to elevate the experience.
What sauce goes with Black folks soul food Southern fried chicken?
Don’t forget the dipping sauces for an extra burst of flavor.
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.
- Hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Pure honey
- Honey mustard
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
- Or add celery and buffalo sauce to the plate for buffalo wings!
Southern fried chicken wings recipe FAQs
What is the difference between fried chicken and Southern fried chicken?
Surprisingly, the answer doesn’t have anything to do with how either batch of chicken looks.
Simply put, the difference between fried chicken and Southern fried chicken is in the flavor.
The Southern soul food seasonings and flavor.
Most soul food is Southern. But not all Southern food is soul food.
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!
Why is fried chicken a Southern thing?
With years of honed experience and tried and true seasoning, African American cooks can be credited with Southern fried chicken recipes.
Fried chicken is an authentic soul food recipe thanks to Black people’s recipes.
It’s quintessential Southern as black-eyed peas, cornbread, sweet potato pie, and Southern collard greens!
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is the go-to option when choosing the best flour for frying chicken wings.
It has the right protein and starch balance, creating a crispy and golden wing coating.
Additionally, the neutral flavor of all-purpose flour allows seasonings and spices to shine through.
What is the secret to crispy fried chicken?
The secret to crispy chicken wings lies in the flour batter and the oil used to fry.
Does cornstarch make chicken crispy?
Some Southern fried chicken recipes call for cornstarch as the secret to crispy fried chicken because cornstarch binds and thickens the flour batter for an extra crispy crunch!
How long does it take to fry chicken wings?
Asked another way: How long do you cook this soul food Southern fried chicken recipe?
The frying time for chicken wings can vary depending on factors such as the size, or thickness of the wings, the oil temperature, and the desired level of crispiness.
It usually takes 10 to 12 minutes to fry chicken wings until golden brown and cooked through. It’s essential to ensure the wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat.
What is the best oil to fry chicken wings?
Peanut oil is preferred for deep-frying because of its relatively high smoke point of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
A high smoke point and neutral flavor oil are best for frying chicken wings. Peanut oil and vegetable oil are popular choices for frying chicken wings. They have a high smoke point, which means they can withstand the high temperatures required for deep frying without imparting an undesirable taste to the wings.
Do you have to fry chicken in peanut oil?
No, especially if you’re allergic to peanuts! Instead, use vegetable oil.
How do you season chicken before cooking?
Soul food seasoning rule number one:
- Always season your chicken or meat!
Seasoning chicken before cooking allows the spices to penetrate the meat and helps release the flavor during the cooking process.
To make the best Southern fried chicken, use this tried, tested, and authentic soul food Southern fried chicken seasoning.
It’s no secret that your Southern food menu is incomplete without a classic Southern fried chicken recipe.
But it can be hard to choose the right blend of Southern fried chicken spices on your own. So use this recipe as your step-by-step guide.
How can you tell the difference between chicken wings and chicken drumettes?
Chicken flats and chicken drumettes are two parts of the whole chicken wing. The main difference between them lies in their shape and size.
What are the pieces of a chicken wing called?
Chicken wings have three parts: the drumette, the flat, and the wingtip.
- The drumette is the meatiest and thickest portion of the wings. It resembles a mini drumstick with a single bone running through the center.
- The flat, also called a wingette, is the middle section, with two parallel bones surrounded by meat.
- The wingtip is the smallest part of the wings and is often discarded.
Chicken drumettes are the wing’s meatiest portion because they comprise the drumette and a small piece of the flat.
How do you get breading to stick to chicken wings?
Asked another way, how do you get the perfect crust on fried chicken?
To ensure breading sticks to chicken wings, follow these steps.
- First, make sure the chicken wings are dry by patting them with a paper towel.
- Coat the wings in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
- Next, dip the wings in a buttermilk and egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off.
- Finally, dip the wings in flour, coating them thoroughly and pressing the flour into the wings.
Why do you dip chicken in flour before egg?
This three-step dredging method creates a crisp, flavorful coating that adheres well to chicken wings during frying.
At what temperature do you cook soul food fried chicken?
Fry the chicken in oil maintained at 350 degrees F.
How can you tell if your fried chicken is finished cooking?
When the chicken batter turns golden brown, it is finished and can be removed from the hot oil.
How do you store leftover fried chicken wings?
To ensure the best taste and texture, fried chicken wings should be consumed the same day they are prepared.
However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze a Southern fried chicken wings recipe?
Yes, but there is a chance that the crispy fried chicken exterior will soften upon reheating.
To freeze fried chicken wings, place them in a freezer-safe storage bag for longer storage and freeze them for up to 3 months.
How do you reheat fried chicken wings?
Thaw the wings in the refrigerator overnight when reheating, then preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the wings on a baking sheet and reheat for 8-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Did you enjoy this Southern fried chicken wings recipe?
Have you had it?
Would you make it?
Comment below and lemme know.
Then subscribe HERE for all the soul food!
Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board!
Equipment
- Deep fryer, Cast iron skillet, or Dutch oven
- Whisk
- Fried chicken scissor tong
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken wings
- 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 seasoning poultry seasoning or all-purpose seasoning/seasoned salt
- 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.
- 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.
- While 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 the buttermilk and egg in another medium-sized bowl, and set that mixture aside too.
- The chicken wings 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 well coated.
- Place the coated chicken wings into the preheated oil, skin-side down, and be careful not to overcrowd the chicken in the oil.
- You can fry a second batch to avoid overcrowding by frying all the chicken at once. Just make sure the hot oil remains at 350 degrees F.
- Cook the chicken wings 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.
- Serve this soul food Southern fried chicken wings recipe right away, and enjoy!
Notes
