The Ultimate Southern Guide to Crispy Chicken Fried Chicken and Savory Gravy
Chicken Fried Chicken is a crispy, golden, Southern-style comfort dish made with tender chicken breasts, fried to perfection and topped with creamy homemade gravy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Fried Chicken
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6–8 thin sliced chicken breasts
- Oil for frying
Dry Mixture
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Wet Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
Gravy
- 1/4 cup reserved frying oil
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 325°F (165°C).
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Whisk buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce in a separate bowl.
- Dredge chicken in flour, then wet mixture, then flour again, pressing to coat well.
- Fry chicken 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels.
- For gravy, heat reserved oil in a pan, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk until thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve gravy over fried chicken.
Notes
- Double dredging makes the crust extra crispy.
- Maintain oil temperature for even frying.
- Fresh gravy is best served immediately.