Crispy Spicy Fried Chicken
*Juicy, tender chicken coated in a crispy, spicy breading – the ultimate fried chicken recipe!
Who doesn’t love a good piece of crispy fried chicken? It’s a classic comfort food that’s hard to resist. But what if you could take that classic fried chicken up a notch with some extra spice and crunch? Enter the ultimate crispy spicy fried chicken recipe!
This chicken is brined in a buttermilk marinade infused with garlic, onion, hot sauce and salt. The buttermilk keeps the meat incredibly juicy while the brine seasons it all the way through.
After marinating, the chicken is coated in a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in an egg wash, and coated again in the flour for an extra thick, crunchy breading.
The secret to the crispiness is letting the breaded chicken rest uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before frying. This helps the coating adhere perfectly to the chicken.
When it’s time to fry, the chicken is submerged in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
The spice comes from a blend of cajun seasoning, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper mixed into the flour.
You can adjust the amount of cayenne and cajun seasoning to your desired spice level. I like to make one batch mild for the kids and one extra spicy for the adults.
Serve this crispy spicy fried chicken with your favorite dipping sauces, coleslaw, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes or biscuits for the ultimate Southern feast. It’s sure to be a new family favorite!
Ingredients
Buttermilk Marinade:
– 1/2 gallon buttermilk
– 4 cloves garlic, crushed
– 1/2 white onion, sliced
– 1/2 cup hot sauce
– 3 Tbsp salt (optional)
– 3 lbs chicken, cut up into 8 pieces
#### Seasoned Flour:
– 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
– 1-2 Tbsp salt
– 1 Tbsp black pepper
– 1 Tbsp onion powder
– 1-2 Tbsp cayenne pepper
– 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning
– 1 Tbsp paprika
– 1 Tbsp garlic powder
– 1 Tbsp poultry seasoning
– 1 tsp celery salt
– 1 tsp smoked salt
– 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
– 3 cups self-rising flour
Egg Wash:
– 3 eggs
– 1/4 cup water
– 1/2 cup hot sauce
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– Peanut or vegetable oil for frying
– Cajun seasoning for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl or brining bag, combine all the buttermilk marinade ingredients. Add the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, up to overnight.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together all the seasoned flour ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg wash ingredients.
4. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in seasoned flour, dip in egg wash, then dredge in flour again. Place on a wire rack and refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Fill a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with 2-3 inches of oil. Heat to 350°F.
6. Working in batches, fry chicken for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, maintaining oil temperature. Dark meat may take a bit longer.
7. Drain chicken on a wire rack. Sprinkle with additional cajun seasoning if desired.
8. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
The combination of the buttermilk brine, double breading, and frying technique results in the most crispy, crunchy, juicy fried chicken ever. The spice blend adds a delicious kick that’s sure to satisfy your fried chicken cravings. Give this recipe a try for your next Southern-inspired feast!
