Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spicy Hot Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

Juicy fried chicken marinated in tangy buttermilk and coated with a crispy seasoned batter, served with a homemade Southern-inspired hot sauce. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs), buttermilk, hot sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs)
• 3 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup hot sauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• enough for 2-inch deep frying vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp additional hot sauce

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups buttermilk and 1/4 cup hot sauce. Add 3 lbs chicken pieces, making sure they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
2. Step 2: In a large shallow dish, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour until fully coated, then set aside on a wire rack for 10 minutes to adhere.
4. Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F, enough to submerge chicken pieces about 2 inches deep.
5. Step 5: Fry the chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels.
6. Step 6: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over low heat, then whisk in 1 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp additional hot sauce until smooth.
7. Step 7: Brush the spicy butter glaze over the fried chicken pieces just before serving for a glossy, flavorful finish.