Absolutely Cracking Easy Fried Chicken

Craving easy fried chicken? My recipe is simple, crispy, and juicy! Less salty, more flavour – a family favourite. Get the secret now!

May 22, 2025
By Aidan Rivers.

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Alright, let's dive into this easy fried chicken recipe ! honestly, who doesn't love a good piece of crispy, juicy fried chicken? it's practically an american institution, you know? this recipe will have you channeling your inner southern cook, even if you're just rocking it in your tiny apartment kitchen.

The Secret to Finger-Lickin' Goodness

This isn't your grandma's super-secret, years-in-the-making fried chicken recipe. we're going for delicious, achievable, and satisfying. this recipe brings the joy of crispy and juicy fried chicken right into your house.

Think of it like american southern comfort food, but easy and simple to follow. the goal is perfection in its golden-brown color, and seasoned with herbs and spices.

This easy fried chicken recipe is all about simple steps. It's also about watching that oil temp like a hawk. Trust me, the flavor payoff is huge.

From Humble Origins to Your Dinner Table

Fried chicken, as we know it, has roots in the american south. it has developed from the scottish and west african cooking techniques.

It's a dish that brings people together. it's also surprisingly easy to make at home. this recipe is categorized as easy .

It will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes to make. one batch yields about 4 servings.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Besides tasting amazing, this easy fried chicken recipe is about control. you get to decide what goes into it. you avoid all the extra stuff that can sneak into takeout.

Plus, it's a total crowd-pleaser. serve it up at a barbecue, a picnic, or just a regular tuesday night.

Honestly, if you are looking for a great hibachi chicken recipe , look no further than your local hibachi restaurant .

Some of the great accompaniments would be chicken fried rice recipe . even a quick easy rice recipes .

Ready to get started? Let's gather up the ingredients!

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this absolutely cracking easy fried chicken recipe ! honestly, it's not as intimidating as it looks.

Trust me, if i can do it, you can too.

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients: The Building Blocks

Okay, here's the breakdown. We're going old-school easy fried chicken recipe style.

• Brine Time:

  • 4 cups (950 ml) cold water. Gotta start fresh!
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) kosher salt. Don't skimp here, it's key .
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) granulated sugar. Sweetness balances the salt.
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) each of garlic and onion powder. Essential flavor bombs!
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika. Adds color and a hint of smoky flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper. Classic.
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper (optional). For a little zing !

• Chicken Time:

  • 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs/ 1.4-1.8 kg), cut into 8 pieces. Size matters, you know? Good quality chicken is essential. Look for chicken with good color, firm flesh, and no funky smells.
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour. Our crispy coat.
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) each of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder. Double down on flavor!
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) each of dried thyme and oregano. Adds that Southern charm.
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper. More pepper never hurts!
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper (optional). Extra oomph .
  • 2 large eggs. Binds it all together.
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk or buttermilk. Buttermilk gives it a tang .
  • Vegetable or canola oil for frying (enough for 2 inches deep). Canola is my go-to.

Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up!

This easy fried chicken recipe is all about getting that flavor right.

• Essential Spice Combinations: Garlic, onion, paprika. It's the base, baby!
• Flavor Enhancers: Buttermilk adds tang, cayenne kicks.
• Quick Subs: No thyme? Use Italian seasoning. No oregano? Skip it! Don't stress.

I remember once, I was out of garlic powder. I threw in some minced garlic instead! Worked like a charm, honestly.

Maybe you wanna try and cook hibachi chicken recipe . i once went to a hibachi restaurant and was blown away by their hibachi chicken .

You can try hibachi grill for this. a delicious chicken fried rice recipe is a classic pairing. you can custom menu to your taste.

Maybe you only want easy rice recipes or rice side dishes . making easy rice isn't as hard as you think!

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need fancy gadgets for this easy fried chicken recipe .

• Essentials: Big bowl, shallow dishes, heavy pot.
• Must-Have: Kitchen thermometer! Seriously, 325° F ( 160° C) is your magic number.
• Alternatives: No Dutch oven? A deep skillet works. Use tongs.

Honestly, I've used a regular pot more times than I can count. Just be careful!

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into making some seriously absolutely cracking easy fried chicken . forget what you think you know about complicated frying methods, this easy fried chicken recipe is gonna be your new best friend.

Trust me, it's way less scary than it sounds!

Absolutely Cracking Easy Fried Chicken Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950 ml) cold water
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs / 1.4-1.8 kg), cut into 8 pieces
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) paprika
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk or buttermilk
• Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying (about 4-6 cups / 950 ml - 1.4 L)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together water, salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 6 hours.
• In one shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). In another shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk (or buttermilk).
• Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven until it’s about 2 inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat to 325°F (160°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature.
• Remove chicken pieces from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally dredge again in the flour mixture, making sure to coat evenly.
• Carefully place a few pieces of chicken at a time into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
• Remove the fried chicken from the pot and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately and enjoy your easy fried chicken recipe!

Prep Like a Pro

• Essential Mise en Place: Get your chicken cut into 8 pieces: 2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, 2 wings. Measure out all your spices and flour. Seriously, do this. It makes life so much easier.
• Time-Saving Organization: Mix your brine in the morning or even the night before. The longer the chicken hangs out in the brine , the juicier it'll be! Set up your dredging station. Flour mix in one dish, egg mix in another.
• Safety First: We're dealing with hot oil, folks. Use a heavy-bottomed pot and a thermometer. Never leave hot oil unattended . And for Pete's sake, dry your chicken before it hits the oil. Water + hot oil = bad news.

Frying Frenzy: Step-by-Step

1. Brine Time: Mix the brine: 4 cups water, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne (optional). Submerge that chicken and refrigerate for 2- 6 hours.
2. Dredge It Up: In one dish, combine: 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. In another, whisk 2 eggs with 1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tang!).
3. Heat 'Em Up: Pour about 4-6 cups of vegetable or canola oil into a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat it to 325° F ( 160° C) . Use a thermometer, people!
4. The Dredge: Pat the chicken dry. Dredge in flour, then egg, then flour again. Make sure it's fully coated.
5. Fry, Baby, Fry: Carefully place a few pieces of chicken in the oil. Don't overcrowd! Fry for 6- 8 minutes per side , until golden brown and the internal temp hits 165° F ( 74° C) .
6. Doneness Check: Watch until the pieces of chicken are golden brown. It should reach an internal temp hits of 165F.

Pro Tips for Fried Chicken Glory

• Temperature is King: Keep that oil temperature steady! Too low, greasy chicken. Too high, burnt outside, raw inside. Golden brown, crispy goodness!
• Brine, Baby, Brine!: Seriously, don't skip the brine. It makes all the difference! Think of it as a juicy insurance policy. It infuses flavour and tenderness like nothing else!
• Make Ahead Hack: You can prep the chicken and the dredge ahead of time. Just keep the dredged chicken in the fridge until you're ready to fry. But, like, fry it soon.

I will tell you, this easy fried chicken recipe is like the gateway drug to better cooking. once you nail this, you'll be ready to tackle anything.

Maybe you'll even want to try your hand at the chicken fried rice recipe or even get the hibachi chicken recipe , just like they serve at a fancy hibachi restaurant .

You could even find some inspiration on some easy rice recipes to serve as tasty rice side dishes . you know, what's the best part about being able to cook a proper hibachi chicken or serve an easy rice dish? when you can start to dream up and build a custom menu for your friends, family or even yourself.

Heck, this is even better than going out! Now, go forth and fry!

Alright, let's talk recipe notes for this absolutely cracking easy fried chicken recipe . this is where we take things from "just okay" to "oh my gosh, where have you been all my life?".

Trust me, the little details matter!

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Fried Chicken Game

Serving Suggestions: Presentation is Key!

Honestly, half the fun is making it look good, right? think about presentation. plating this easy fried chicken recipe can be super simple.

Just arrange the golden-brown pieces artfully on a platter. i like to sprinkle some fresh parsley on top, just to add a pop of green.

For sides, you can't go wrong with classic coleslaw or buttery mashed potatoes. and don't forget the drinks! ice-cold sweet tea or a crisp lemonade are the perfect complements.

You know? because sometimes i'm also in the mood for something different, i will go to my trusty old hibachi restaurant and order something like chicken fried rice recipe and it is amazing!

Storage Tips: Keeping the Goodness Going

Okay, so you've made a batch of this easy fried chicken recipe ... and you have leftovers. score! refrigerate any leftover chicken in an airtight container.

It'll be good for about 3-4 days.

Freezing? yeah, you can do that too. wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag.

It’ll last for up to 2 months. reheating can be tricky to maintain the skin crispy but i find that using an air fryer or using the oven is the way to go!

Variations: Making it Your Own

This easy fried chicken recipe is super versatile. Got dietary restrictions? No problem.

Want a gluten-free version? swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. it works like a charm! or maybe you're cutting back on dairy? use plant-based milk instead of regular milk or buttermilk.

Honestly, the options are endless.

For a seasonal twist, try adding some rosemary or sage to the flour mixture in the fall. It's a game-changer! I also love trying to re-create the taste of Hibachi Chicken Recipe , it's something you can play with!

Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff

Let's be real. fried chicken isn't exactly health food, haha! but hey, everything in moderation, right? a serving will clock in at around 650-750 calories.

It's packed with protein, which is great, but also has a decent amount of fat. just be mindful of portion sizes.

I would advise you to keep it to small portions.

Key Benefit: This easy fried chicken recipe can be a delicious way to enjoy protein.

So, that's it! look into in, have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment. And if you're ever wondering what to serve with it, maybe think about what goes well with Hibachi Chicken : like easy rice ! You've got this!