There’s nothing quite like biting into extra crispy fried chicken – the crunchy, golden crust giving way to tender, juicy meat inside. While fried chicken is a beloved comfort food, getting that perfect, crispy coating at home can seem like a challenge. You may have tried recipes before and ended up with soggy or unevenly crispy chicken. But with the right technique and a few expert tips, you can make restaurant-quality, extra crispy fried chicken right in your own kitchen.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process for making crispy fried chicken that rivals your favorite fried chicken joints. We’ll also share tips and tricks for achieving that perfect crunch every time.
Let’s dive into the secret to making extra crispy fried chicken at home!
1. Choose the Right Chicken 🐔
The first step to achieving crispy fried chicken is starting with good-quality chicken. While you can fry up any cut of chicken, some are better suited for frying than others. Here’s what you should consider:
Best Cuts for Fried Chicken:
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces: For the best fried chicken, go for bone-in thighs, drumsticks, or wings. The skin on these pieces adds flavor and extra crispiness when fried.
- Chicken breasts (optional): If you prefer boneless chicken breasts, make sure to keep the skin on for extra crunch. Bone-in pieces, however, tend to retain more moisture and flavor when frying.
Choosing the right cuts ensures that your fried chicken has a crispy exterior while staying juicy on the inside.
2. Brine the Chicken for Maximum Moisture 🧂
To get juicy, tender chicken inside that crispy crust, brining is a game-changer. A simple brine made from water, salt, and a little sugar helps the chicken retain moisture during frying, ensuring it’s tender and juicy.
How to Brine Chicken:
- Mix 4 cups of water with ¼ cup of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Submerge the chicken in the brine and refrigerate it for 2-4 hours (or overnight for even more flavor).
Brining your chicken also helps enhance its flavor and ensures it stays moist, even after deep frying.
3. Use Buttermilk for Flavor and Tenderness 🍶
Another secret to crispy fried chicken is using buttermilk for marinating the chicken. The acidity in buttermilk tenderizes the meat while infusing it with rich flavor. The thick consistency of buttermilk also helps the breading stick to the chicken, creating that crispy coating we all crave.
How to Marinate Chicken in Buttermilk:
- Pour buttermilk into a large bowl, enough to fully submerge the chicken pieces.
- Add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper for an extra layer of flavor.
- Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk for at least 1-2 hours (or overnight for even better flavor).
The longer you let the chicken marinate in buttermilk, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
4. Double-Dip for Extra Crunch 🍽️
The key to achieving extra crispy fried chicken is the breading. While a single layer of breading can give you a good crispy texture, double-dipping takes it to the next level.
How to Double-Dip:
- After marinating the chicken in buttermilk, dredge it in your dry breading mix (flour, cornstarch, and seasonings).
- Dip the breaded chicken back into the buttermilk, then coat it once more in the dry breading mix.
The extra layer of breading creates a thicker, crunchier coating, ensuring that every bite is crispy and satisfying.
5. Use the Right Flour Mixture 🍚
The breading you use plays a huge role in the final crunch. A mixture of all-purpose flour and cornstarch is key to achieving a light, crispy texture. The cornstarch helps make the crust extra crisp and keeps it from becoming soggy.
Best Flour Mixture:
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of cornstarch
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
This combination creates a light and crispy crust that adheres well to the chicken, making it perfectly crunchy.
6. Heat Your Oil to the Right Temperature 🌡️
The temperature of your frying oil is crucial to achieving a crispy exterior without overcooking the chicken. If the oil is too hot, the outside of the chicken will burn before the inside cooks. If the oil is too cold, the breading will become greasy.
Ideal Oil Temperature:
- Heat your oil to 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C) for the perfect frying temperature.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to ensure the oil stays at the right temperature throughout the frying process.
For the best results, use vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil, as they have a high smoke point and are ideal for deep frying.
7. Fry in Batches 🍳
When frying chicken, it’s important not to overcrowd the pan. Frying too many pieces at once can lower the oil temperature, leading to soggy chicken with uneven crispiness. Instead, fry in batches to ensure that the oil stays hot and the chicken cooks evenly.
How to Fry in Batches:
- Carefully place 2-3 pieces of chicken in the hot oil at a time, depending on the size of your frying vessel.
- Do not overcrowd the pan. Give each piece of chicken enough space to fry evenly.
- Let the oil return to the correct temperature between batches for consistent results.
Frying in batches ensures that every piece gets the golden-brown, crispy crust you’re after.
8. Rest the Chicken After Frying 🛋️
Once your chicken is fried to perfection, don’t rush to serve it immediately. Allow the fried chicken to rest for a few minutes on a wire rack or paper towels. This allows the excess oil to drain away and ensures the breading stays crispy.
How to Rest Fried Chicken:
- Place your fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This prevents the chicken from sitting in excess oil and helps keep the crust crispy.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Resting the chicken also helps it finish cooking through, ensuring that it’s tender and juicy on the inside.
9. Serve with the Right Sides 🍽️
No fried chicken is complete without a selection of delicious sides! Whether you go with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits, the sides can make or break your meal.
Top Sides for Fried Chicken:
- Creamy mashed potatoes with gravy
- Coleslaw with a tangy dressing
- Cornbread or soft biscuits
- Macaroni and cheese
- Sweet potato fries
Pairing your crispy fried chicken with the right sides takes your meal from good to great.
10. Enjoy the Crunch 🍴
Now that you’ve followed all the steps to make extra crispy fried chicken, it’s time to enjoy it! Break off a crispy piece, take a bite, and savor the crunch — it’s the payoff for all your hard work.
Final Thoughts
Making extra crispy fried chicken at home is easier than you might think, as long as you follow a few key techniques. Brining the chicken, marinating it in buttermilk, double-dipping, using the right flour mixture, and frying at the correct temperature are all essential steps to achieving that perfect, crispy texture. Add some delicious sides to complete the meal, and you’ve got a fried chicken feast that’s sure to impress!
So, whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or just craving a crispy, golden meal, follow these secrets to make fried chicken that’s tender on the inside, extra crispy on the outside, and absolutely irresistible!
