Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy fried chicken thighs coated in buttermilk and cayenne, served with spicy pickled okra for a classic Mardi Gras feast. This southern-inspired mardi gras ready in about 132 minutes pairs chicken thighs, buttermilk, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 120 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk with 1 tsp cayenne pepper and 1 tsp paprika. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and marinate for 2 hours at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp paprika.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, turning once.
  5. Step 5: Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with 1/2 cup pickled okra on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 132 minutes (120 min prep + 12 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 Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs?

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 Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs 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 Fat Tuesday's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs?

Southern mardi gras 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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