Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy fried chicken marinated in tangy buttermilk and coated in seasoned flour, served with a warm spiced pan gravy. This american southern-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs buttermilk, hot sauce, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American Southern cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups buttermilk, 2 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Submerge 8 bone-in chicken pieces in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove chicken from brine, letting excess drip off, and dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
  4. Step 4: To make the spiced gravy, remove all but 3 tbsp of oil from the skillet and melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Serve the fried chicken hot drizzled with the spiced gravy.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep buttermilk from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Gravy?

American Southern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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