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–+ servings
Fried chicken on a black wire baking rack on a baking sheet.
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Southern Fried Chicken

Perfectly juicy and crispy southern-style fried chicken is so easy to make at home!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

For the fried chicken:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 ½ pounds chicken pieces I used legs and thighs
  • Vegetable or peanut oil

For the tea:

  • 2 family-size Lipton iced tea bags
  • 4 cups Water
  • Granulated sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Whisk together flour, Old Bay Seasoning, salt and pepper in a medium bowl or 13x9 baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. Add buttermilk and stir well to combine.
  • Fill a cast iron skillet ¾ inch full with oil and heat over medium high heat to 325 degrees F, using a deep-fry thermometer.
  • Dip the chicken (one piece at a time) into the buttermilk and egg mixture, coating evenly. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, coating evenly. Shake to remove any excess of the flour mixture.
  • Using tongs, carefully place chicken in the heated oil, skin side down. Oil temperature will decrease when chicken is added. Adjust burner temperature to maintain the oil between 300 and 325 degrees F while frying.
  • Fry for approximately 6 to 10 minutes on each side (depending upon size) until deep golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees F using an instant-read thermometer.
  • Cook in batches and place on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet to drain.

For the tea:

  • Pour 4 cups boiling water over 2 tea bags in a heat-proof pitcher.
  • Brew 3 to 5 minutes; remove tea bags.
  • Sweeten to taste. Stir in 6 cups ice cubes until melted. Keep covered in the refrigerator.