southern fried chicken 186

Southern Fried Chicken

July 28, 2014Danita

southern fried chicken 186

I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in the South…the Deep South, where they drink Sweet Tea and eat Southern Fried Chicken!  

As a child I spent lots of time with my grandparents.  Like most people of that generation they were very active and enjoyed doing a wide variety of things.  A favorite weekend activity was going on picnics.  We’d often gather as many extended family members as possible, drive to a state park somewhere and have a picnic.  Of course, we could simply have had these people over for lunch but there’s just something about packing up your food, setting it out in the open air and sharing it with others that makes it so much more special.  

I’ve come to realize, “picnic food” differs greatly depending on what region of the country you’re in.  Here in Texas it means you’re going to grill out some hamburgers and hot dogs once you get there.  Up north it tended to mean sandwiches but in the Deep South it means Fried Chicken!  I can’t remember one picnic with my grandparents that didn’t include Fried Chicken…and I’m not talking about from “The Colonel”…I mean my grandma getting up EARLY and hand battering and skillet frying enough chicken to feed a small army!  It would be fried first thing in the morning, cooled so it didn’t “sweat” (that makes the crust soggy), packed in a large Tupperware container, into the picnic basket it would go and served cold when we reached our destination….And it was DELICIOUS!

I’m well aware of all the “political incorrectness” of that last sentence….

  • fried food is a no-no
  • plastic is bad for the environment
  • the chicken wasn’t kept warm to prevent botulism
  • who can imagine eating “cold” food

So for those of you who may be concerned about our safety (bless your heart) let me assure you

  • my grandma ate fried food almost every day of her 89 year life
  • I think my mom still has some of her Tupperware
  • I’ve never known anyone to get sick after a picnic
  • Fried Chicken is one of the few foods that’s just as good cold as it is hot 

And I have to add…life was so much more simple when we didn’t worry about those things.  But, enough about our “social fears”.

What’s my point?  

Whether you make this Southern Fried Chicken or not, do something with your family.  I know, we’re all SUPER busy!  But carve out some time, get away from the house, leave all your electronic devices at home and spend some quality time together.  If that seems too daunting, start small…just have an uninterrupted dinner together at home. I know a great place to find easy recipes 😉

Here’s the Recipe:

  • 3 1/2 lbs bone-in chicken (I used legs)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • oil for frying – I like to deep fry

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Heat oil to 375-400 degrees

In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt and pepper

Pour milk into a second shallow dish  

*If you don’t have buttermilk you can use regular or make your own by adding 1 tsp of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk and let it sit about 5 minutes*

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First dip chicken in milk, then coat thoroughly in flour

*If you like it really crispy, you can then re-dip in milk and coat a second time in flour*

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Make sure the oil is hot before placing the chicken it.  Hot oil allows the food to absorb less of it and sears on the crust.

Carefully drop chicken in to hot oil.  Fry as many as your fryer or skillet will hold without overcrowding.

Chicken will float when it become almost done.

To test for “doneness”, remove from oil and pierce with a knife, all the way to the bone.  If juices run clear, it’s done.

When done, remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

 Serve immediately or if you’re feeling brave…

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 Pack it in some Tupperware and go on a picnic!

This post linked at Inspire Us Thurs. The Wednesday Roundup Pin It Thurs

44 Comments

  • cduncan1983

    September 19, 2014 at 10:03 PM

    Oh my goodness. I cracked up at (Bless her heart). I love it. I’ve pinned your recipe!

  • sdaigneault2

    August 29, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    I have not made fried chicken in SO long, I need to do it once it cools down a little bit. So delish!

  • MomMaven

    August 29, 2014 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks! I need to make this before my son and his deep fryer moves out of my house in 3 months! I agree with your story too. Eat what you like all of these food rules are ridiculous!

  • Tina Shone Truelove

    August 29, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    I agree with you! My great grandmother lived to be 98 and fried chicken was on her table almost every day. I also still have my mother’s Tupperware. Thank you for the recipe! Pinned!

  • Jackie Houston

    August 2, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    This looks SO good! Can’t wait to try it, fried chicken is the hubbys favorite!

  • Tammy @ creativekkids

    August 1, 2014 at 8:41 AM

    This looks so yummy! I am featuring this recipe this coming Monday on Creative K Kid’s Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. Thanks for linking up last week. (I pinned them too!)

  • Caden

    August 1, 2014 at 1:54 AM

    I noticed how people get freaked out about food as well!! In Arkansas I guess we just missed the memo on food safety. My husband and his family must have everything refrigerated DIRECTLY after eating or they wont touch the left overs. I wander back in the kitchen an hour later and eat a chicken stick and people look at me like I just put a live baby chick in my mouth. Buttttttt The animal literally has to roll in filth and still be making sounds before it gives me food poisoning, they on the other hand would get tummy rumbles over toast. Bless their heart.

    1. Danita

      August 1, 2014 at 6:30 AM

      Yes indeed Caden, bless their heart. My husband and I just laugh every time we think about our grandmas. They made “dinner” for the family in the middle of the day, put the leftovers in the oven (that wasn’t on) and pulled them out at “super”, ate them cold (because there was no such thing as a microwave) and lived to be 90 and 93! How did that happen? Here’ to the “good old days”! Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed weekend.

  • Kristin

    July 31, 2014 at 11:24 PM

    I am seriously drooling! Fried chicken is my to to comfort food!

  • Old World ~ New Girl

    July 31, 2014 at 10:48 PM

    Hmmm, I’ve never tried the buttermilk with mine before, I’ll definitely have to give it a try! Looks so yummy =)

  • Jody Thomae

    July 31, 2014 at 8:30 PM

    Wow! looks yummy! 🙂 Blessings! Jody

  • Amy Hagerup (@amyhagerup)

    July 31, 2014 at 6:03 PM

    Danita, I loved your “bless your heart.” I am from South Carolina and Georgia (childhood years) so I am very southern too. That fried chicken looks super yummy. Please send me some soon. 🙂

  • LifeAsAConvert

    July 31, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    This is pretty much how I do it.. like the yearly times that I do lol

  • Paris at My Big Fat Happy Life

    July 31, 2014 at 2:57 PM

    Oh I love fried chicken, but do not eat it enough 🙂 I’ve pinned.

  • Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama

    July 31, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    My brother and I used to love “chicken on a stick”. Fried is the only way southerners like it!

  • aimee (@HouseofFaucis)

    July 31, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    Oh how I love GOOD home made fried chicken. I need to get a deep pot with that little gadget! It’s so bad for you but oh so good!

  • PoisedinPrint.com

    July 31, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    True story indeed; live use to be so simple.

    Fried chicken is one of my favorites. I’m learning to master buttermilk fried chicken.

  • Mary Collins

    July 30, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    This chicken looks good and as a southern girl, I am a fan of the dish.

  • katrinagehman

    July 30, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Oh that looks so good and i could probably even make that.

  • Chrissy

    July 29, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    I’ve always wanted to try to cook fried chicken, this sounds amazing!

  • Maggie

    July 29, 2014 at 5:47 PM

    Oh, a picnic sound perfect! So does this fried chicken!

  • Laura Coble

    July 29, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    This looks SO good! I”ve wanted to make fried chicken (and donuts) for a long time, but all the frying oil scares me. Hopefully one of these days I”ll be brave enough to try it. I”m not afraid for health reasons, just a lot of bubbling oil seems a bit overwhelming, hahah!

  • beingbianca

    July 29, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    You had me at fried chicken! YUM! This looks delish! xx, b @ being-bianca.com

  • Leslie

    July 29, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    Oh my goodness, this looks scrumptious. I love(d) crispy chicken. Now I’ve traded it in for grilled. I how bad I want a piece of that, hah. Thanks for sharing!

  • Lois Jones

    July 29, 2014 at 5:31 AM

    You had me with the first picture! I have not made any fried chicken in a long time. Gonna have to make some now! Yum!!

  • Yona Williams

    July 29, 2014 at 2:14 AM

    That crispy coating looks soooo tasty…I would love to try this recipe….or have someone else make it. I have a fear of cooking chicken with bone…haven’t had good experiences doing it so I am constantly cooking with boneless, skinless breasts.

  • Danielle Stewart

    July 29, 2014 at 12:08 AM

    Now that chicken looks amazing. Its funny but fried chicken is the only thing I have the hardest time making. I have yet to make any that is edible.

  • Kero Pinkihan

    July 28, 2014 at 10:37 PM

    awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I can follow this. they say Southern makes the best deep fried of anything!

  • Anna L

    July 28, 2014 at 9:41 PM

    Yum! I love fried chicken. I really shouldn’t look at food posts this late a night, because now I’m hungry.

  • Jaime

    July 28, 2014 at 8:19 PM

    I’ve gotten sick from a picnic 🙂 Dumb Mayo filled salad. LOL

    I have YET to master the Southern Fried Chicken and that’s my FAVORITE. I love fried chicken cold, too… mmmmm take it out of the fridge and just eat it. I will definitely be trying your recipe!

    1. Danita

      July 28, 2014 at 8:41 PM

      You’re right Jaime, I should have clarified…I’ve never know anyone who got sick from eating Fried Chicken at a picnic. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Kelly the Take Action WAHM

    July 28, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    Your recipe is just like mine, but I add a egg and some hot sauce to my drench. I like to dredge, then drench and dredge again – seems to stick better that way. Can’t wait to get a skillet deep enough for deep frying – right now, all I can do is pan fry. And yes, I’m from the South too – one grandma for N. Carolina, the other from S. Carolina – I think I had the most delicious childhood!

    1. Danita

      July 29, 2014 at 6:26 AM

      I’m with you on the “double dredge”! The more crust, the better. Hot sauce does sound like a nice addition…very Paula Deen-ish…which I love. Thanks for stopping by.

  • displacedyinzer

    July 28, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    I recently moved south and need to try more recipes. My whole family would love this chicken. I don’t stress over too many things!

  • teresa mccluskey

    July 28, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    I love fried chicken! But Southern is so much better! My grandmother on my dads side before she passed made the best fried chicken ever!!

  • Lexie Lane

    July 28, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    It turned out so perfect! I absolutely love fried chicken more than anything! lol! Yum!

  • rachelle

    July 28, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    That looks really yummy! I’m not much for frying stuff (never was any good at it) but I might have to give it a shot!

  • danecarr

    July 28, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    I bet when you were a kid you didn’t ride in a car seat, wear a seatbelt or wear a helmet when riding your bike either. Here’s to living on the wild side!

  • citymomsecrets

    July 28, 2014 at 7:52 AM

    oh good lord. I want to make this right now – i might have to wait till after bikini season though haha.

  • rebeccajmcafee

    July 28, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    This look delicious. We love fried chicken. :-). I lived down south for years and could never get enough.

  • Mariya

    July 28, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    Looks delicious!

  • TeamSoutherland

    July 28, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    That looks really good! I have never fried chicken at home. I am saving this recipe!

  • foodyschmoody

    July 28, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Love fried chicken. I’m such a wimp when it comes to frying, I never did get the bug for it. Cooking it I mean, of course, I eat it. You are right, life was simpler when we didn’t stress over every little ridiculous thing like we do now!

  • Robin Rue

    July 28, 2014 at 6:26 AM

    That sounds absolutely delicious!! I would love to make this sometime soon!!

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