Skillet Fried Chicken

If Skillet Fried Chicken is an important part of your childhood memories, you must try this recipe. Don’t worry, your grandma isn’t the only one who can master Skillet Fried Chicken. Remember, becoming a great cook is all about great recipes and practice, practice, practice.

You will enjoy practicing your chicken frying skills with our Skillet Fried Chicken.

If you’re feeling intimidated by this slightly advanced culinary delight, that’s okay. Frying up some bone-in chicken does take some practice in order to get it just right, but we’ve got you covered with a very thorough recipe that provides you with easy-to-follow instructions and a few cooking hacks to help you succeed with this recipe.

Fried chicken hack number one: focus on the heat. The temp of your oil is crucial to the success of your fried chicken. It is also important to consider what kind of oil you are using since different types of oil cook better or worse at varying temps. This recipe calls for oil to be at 350 degrees before you add in your chicken. This is an important step so be sure you have a way to show cooking temps before getting started. If you do not have one, invest in a good oil thermometer. These come in so handy especially if you do not have a deep fryer on hand with temp control. But for Skillet Fried Chicken, an oil thermometer is a handy tool to have.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why I love Skillet Fried Chicken?

• Skillet Dinner Idea
• Use bone-in chicken (any cuts)
• Affordable Dinner
• Comfort Food Recipe
• Family Approved for Picky Eaters

Should you cover the skillet when frying chicken?

You will not want to cover the skillet as it is going to cause the breading to fall off the chicken. You want to make sure to keep it free of a lid to ensure you get a nice sear on the chicken.

How to fry chicken in a cast-iron skillet without burning it?

Make sure to not have the heat too high, if you do it will cause the outside breading to burn. If you find it is seeming too hot then lower your heat as you sear the chicken.

Then make sure that you rotate the chicken to ensure it cooks on all sides of the chicken.

How much oil do you put in a skillet to fry chicken?

You will want enough oil in the skillet to have an inch or so. This is going to create a nice base to create the frying texture, but also prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan.

Which oil is best for frying chicken?

You need to use oil that has a high smoke, like peanut, canola, vegetable, or even avocado oil. Other oils smoke pretty high.

Why is my fried chicken not crispy?

If your chicken is not crispy, you probably put the chicken in a pan that was not heated up beforehand so it doesn’t create that nice sear. Or you didn’t have the heat high enough as you are searing the chicken.

How to serve Skillet Fried Chicken?

Serve up your skillet-fried chicken with your favorite sides. From a classic potato salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, or any other fixings you know and love.

Skillet Fried Chicken Cooking Tips:

• Make sure the pan is hot before you place the chicken in. This will create a nice golden skillet fried chicken texture.
• Rotate the chicken as it cooks to get an even cook on the chicken.
• If the breading is heating too quickly then you will need to lower the temperature down a bit.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked before serving it up.

Variations:

• Season your breading with your favorite spices and herbs.
• Use any cut of chicken you would like. If you use boneless chicken just make sure it is fully cooked.
• Use dairy-free ingredients if you want a dairy-free fried chicken recipe.

Ingredients:

• Bone-in skin-on chicken pieces
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt divided
• Black pepper divided
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

Step 1. In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season both sides of the chicken pieces with the mixture and set aside.

Adding the salt.

Adding the black pepper.

Adding the paprika.

Adding the onion powder.

Adding the garlic powder.

Adding the cayenne pepper.

Step 2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, remaining salt, black pepper, and cornstarch.

Adding the flour.

Adding the salt.

Adding back pepper and cornstarch.

Step 3. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and ½ cup of water in a separate bowl.

Adding eggs and buttermilk.

Adding the water.

Step 4. Heat several inches of oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees.

Step 5. Dip the chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture and then dredge in the flour mixture.

Buttermilk mixture first.

Then, the flour mixture is second.

Step 6. Place the breaded chicken into the heated oil and fry evenly, turning often until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 7. Remove the cooked chicken and drain it on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Skillet Fried Chicken

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

If Skillet Fried Chicken is an important part of your childhood memories, you must try this recipe. Don’t worry, your grandma isn’t the only one who can master Skillet Fried Chicken. Remember, becoming a great cook is all about great recipes and practice, practice, practice. You will enjoy practicing your chicken frying skills with our Skillet Fried Chicken.

4.50 from 2 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 2-3 lb. Bone in skin on chicken pieces
• ⅔ C. Buttermilk
• 1 Large egg
• 3 C. All purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. Cornstarch
• ½ tsp. Garlic powder
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• ½ tsp. Onion powder
• ½ tsp. Cayenne pepper
• 2 Tbsp. Salt divided
• 1 Tbsp. Black pepper divided
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

• In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp. salt, 1 tsp black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Season both sides of the chicken pieces with the mixture and set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, remaining salt, black pepper and cornstarch.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, egg and ½ cup of water in a separate bowl.
• Heat several inches of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat until it reaches 350 degrees.
• Dip the chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture and then dredge in the flour mixture.
• Place the breaded chicken into the heated oil and fry evenly, turning often until golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove the cooked chicken and drain on a paper towel lined plate before serving.
• Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 1165kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 128g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 561mg | Sodium: 2801mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Author: Laura

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How to store Skillet Fried Chicken?

Any leftover pieces of the skillet-fried chicken just store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Or you can freeze the chicken in a freezer bag or container for 3-4 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight to thaw, or reheat straight from frozen.

How to reheat Skillet Fried Chicken?

To reheat you can warm it up in the microwave for a minute or two. Or you can place the chicken on a baking sheet and heat it up in the oven. You will remove it once the chicken is heated through. Just be careful to not overheat or it will dry out the chicken.

How much does Skillet Fried Chicken last on the fridge?

You will find the chicken lasts around 2-3 days. Now if you are looking for a longer period of time, then you can stretch it a day or two. But when in doubt of quality throw it out.

Can I make ahead Skillet Fried Chicken?

You can make your chicken the day before you plan to eat it if you would like. Just store in the fridge in a sealed container. I do recommend this is served warm and fresh as fried chicken has the best texture when it is made fresh.

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