How to Make Fried Chicken

Co-authored by Dorrenda Smith

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 Approved

Fried chicken is popular because it's tasty and it can be eaten both freshly cooked or cold as a picnic food or cold-plate snack. Fried chicken is so popular that it's often part of the menu of many fast food and restaurant chains and indeed, of all meats, it is only chicken that tends to be fried on a regular basis. Properly done, fried chicken is totally delectable, which explains why it's a taste few are willing to give up!

Making fried chicken at home has a number of benefits. You control the quality of the ingredients, meaning that you can use the freshest possible and you can opt for organic chicken if you wish. Also, you can vary the ingredients to taste. And it's highly likely that everyone will want to eat the chicken at the family table, so it's a sure-fire winner for mealtime. This article provides several variations of fried chicken that you can try.

Ingredients

Fried Chicken Escalopes

1 chicken, about 1.5kg (3lb 3 oz), jointed into 8 pieces, boned and skinned
1 small white loaf of bread with crusts removed; 2 day old bread is best
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh herbs
2 eggs, beaten
Sunflower oil, for frying

Southern-fried Chicken

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly milled
Cayenne pepper, pinch
150ml (5 fl oz) buttermilk
4 back bacon rashers
150g (5 1/2 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
Sunflower oil, for frying

Original Fried Chicken

1 egg
3 cups milk
1 cup flour
3 cup fine breadcrumbs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder (not salt)
1/2 tsp onion powder (not salt)
1 tsp paprika
4 tsp black pepper
6-8 cups Crisco cooking oil
2 fryer, or young frying chicken, cut in pieces
(optional) Add a teaspoon/ two of red chili powder for a spicy flavor
1 tsp of crushed onions

Fried Spring Chicken

Spring chicken
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Cayenne, pinch
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, very finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
Fresh white breadcrumbs
Lemon quarters for garnish

Deep-fried Chicken

115g (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 lemon, juice and grated zest of
2 tbsp tarragon, chopped
4 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 large egg
115g ( 4 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
Sunflower oil, for deep-frying

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Fried Chicken Escalopes

Download Article

This is a shallow fry method of preparing the chicken.

Remove the skin and tendons from the chicken. Put the chicken fillets between two sheets of plastic food wrap or parchment paper and pound with a rolling pin. The aim is to flatten them evenly to about 1 centimeter (0.4 in) (1/2") in depth. The flattened pieces are now known as escalopes.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Add the diced pieces to the food processor and process into breadcrumbs. Pour them into a shallow, wide bowl or dish.

Advertisement
Brush each escalope with mustard and sprinkle over the chopped fresh herbs.
4
Dip each escalope into the beaten egg. Be sure to coat both sides evenly.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Seek to coat as thoroughly as possible.
Add about 1 centimeter (0.4 in) (1/2") of oil to the pan.
Fry in the shallow oil for about 4–5 minutes. They are done when they are brown.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Drain on paper.
If you are cooking one at a time, keep the fried ones warm in the oven until serving time.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Southern Fried Chicken

Download Article

This is a shallow fry method of preparing the chicken.

Brush the mixture over the chicken pieces.
Turn around gently to coat in buttermilk.
Pour in the oil to a depth of 1 centimeter (0.39 in) (1/2") and heat it. Cook the bacon until crisp. Lift the bacon out and leave to cool. Once it has cooled enough to handle, cut into small pieces.
Coat the buttermilk covered chicken with the bacon and breadcrumb mixture.
6
Add more oil to the same pan you used for the bacon. Again, the depth of oil should be 1 centimeter (0.39 in) (1/2"). Heat gently.
- It is important that the cooking oil temperature is not too hot because this can cause the outside to crisp before the inside is cooked. If you notice that the oil starts to smoke, it's too hot. Add a little more oil and reduce the temperature immediately.
Fry for about 10 minutes. Turn once during the frying time. The amount of time needed for cooking will depend on the thickness of the pieces; a golden brown color is a good indication that the chicken is cooked.
8
Remove from the pan and serve. Sprinkle with salt.
- Keep fried pieces warm in the oven until all are completed before serving.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Original Fried Chicken

Download Article

This is a deep-fried method of preparing the chicken.

Place the coated pieces on a plate.
The fryer should be suitable for frying chicken. Heat on the stove at a medium setting. Watch to see that it does not get too hot and "spit". To test to see if the oil is hot, put your hands under the water faucet then flick the water from your fingers over the oil. If it sizzles, you know the oil is hot enough to add the chicken to fry.
7
Serve. Serve with coleslaw, salad or steamed vegetables of choice.
- If you're going on a picnic, allow the fried chicken to cool down and pack in its own container, along with other food items ready for the outing.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Fried Spring Chicken

Download Article

This is a deep fry method of preparing the chicken.

Add salt and pepper to taste, and a little cayenne.
Pour the marinade mixture over the chicken pieces. Leave for 30 minutes.
Cook for 13-15 minutes or until golden.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve with the lemon quarters.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Deep Fried Chicken

Download Article

This is a deep fry method of preparing the chicken.

2
Add the butter, lemon zest and tarragon into a bowl. Cream together.
- Add the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Shape it into a rectangular piece. Wrap this rectangular block and place in the freezer. Remove only when it has set solid.
Cut it into four even pieces.
Roll each fillet tightly over the butter.
Dip the chicken pieces into the egg to coat evenly.
Be sure it is evenly covering the chicken; you may need to press them into place.
The coating must set before removing them.
It should reach a temperature of 190ºC/375ºF. Do not use it if it is hotter than this or it will cook the outside of the chicken but not the meat.
12
Add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 10 minutes. They can be removed when they are golden brown.
- Keep cooked pieces warm in the oven.
Remember to remove the cocktail sticks before serving. When cut open, the buttery insides should melt out deliciously.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Keeping Fried Chicken Warm

Download Article

In all of the suggested fried chicken variants above, it is recommended that you only fry a small amount at a time, to ensure the best consistency and adequate cooking. As such, this will usually mean that you have to do the frying in batches and you'll need to keep some of the fried pieces warm in the interim. Here is one method guaranteed to maintain the freshness:

1
Put a little water in an oven dish, wad up some tin foil into balls.
2
Line over the top of the tin foil balls with a large piece of tin foil big enough to wrap all the fried chicken in.
3
Cover all with a lid and place in the oven on 150-200ºF/65-95ºC. Now you have made a homemade steamer pan.
4
Keep chicken in the oven until it is ready to eat. It will come out really tender.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What are some tips for making crispy deep-fried chicken?

Dorrenda Smith
Personal Chef
Dorrenda “Renny” Smith is a Personal Chef and the Co-Founder & CEO of The Crain Experience. With almost 15 years of experience in the food industry, she specializes in creating soul food with a healthier spin. Chef Renny and her partner provide event catering, event planning, and restaurant and food truck consultations.

Dorrenda Smith

Personal Chef

Expert Answer

Number one, make sure the grease is hot. Then just cook it a little bit longer and don't overcrowd the pan.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What kind of cream did you use?

Community Answer

There is no cream in these recipes - just milk/buttermilk.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
Question

What type of flour do I use to make fried chicken?

Qamar

Top Answerer

It's best to use self-rising flour.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

For crispier fried chicken, don't combine the flour and breadcrumbs. Instead, dredge the pieces of chicken in the flour, coating with as little flour as possible (this will prevent your breading from falling off later). Then dip into the egg/milk mixture, then into the seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat well with the breadcrumbs, then place into the fryer. Follow the cooking instructions above, or cook to 165ºF/73ºC internal temperature for thighs and legs, 160ºF/71ºC for breasts and wings. Start with your thighs, then add legs, then breasts, then wings. The chicken will finish together.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
When frying poultry, choose oils that work well at high heat. The oil should have a reasonably high flash point (the point at which it starts to burn and change color) and it should also be a background flavor, not an overwhelming one. Good choices include peanut oil, sunflower and some other vegetable oils.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you want the chicken to be crispy and well cooked, set the stove to low; it will cook the inside of the chicken.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Make sure the chicken is not pink; raw or improperly cooked chicken can harbor diseases like salmonella and can also cause food poisoning. Make sure it is cooked till white.

Thanks
Helpful 26 Not Helpful 7
Treat hot oil with the utmost care. Handle carefully and keep children and pets well away while frying. Keep your face away from the oil, as oil can pop up unexpectedly and it burns if it comes into contact with skin and eyes.

Thanks
Helpful 26 Not Helpful 10
Watch the oil so it does not get too hot; too hot of an oil risks burning food or cooks only the outside.

Thanks
Helpful 19 Not Helpful 12
If you fry in batches in a shallow pan, renew the oil between each batch to remove loose breadcrumbs or they'll burn.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
When serving the chicken, avoid getting burned by using baking gloves.

Thanks
Helpful 16 Not Helpful 17
Use tongs to put the batter chicken into and remove from the frying pan.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0