Best Southern Fried Chicken

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Crispy golden chicken thighs and drumsticks, marinated in buttermilk and spices for a juicy, flavorful bite. This Southern US-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, buttermilk, buttermilk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 60 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 Southern US cuisine 380 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 lbs (1.8kg) chicken thighs
2 cups (480ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
1 tbsp (15g) black pepper
1 tbsp (15g) paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp (15g) salt
2 cups (475ml) for frying vegetable oil

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups buttermilk, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 1 tbsp salt. Submerge chicken pieces and marinate for 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup buttermilk. Dip marinated chicken into the mixture, ensuring full coverage.
Step 3: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with lemon wedges.