Southern Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 drafted and published.

Crispy, juicy chicken with a true buttermilk brine that delivers authentic Southern flavor in every bite. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 260 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 720 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: 240 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 720 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 2 lbs chicken thighs, ensuring full submersion, and refrigerate for 4 hours (or overnight) to achieve authentic brine penetration.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (use a thermometer for accuracy). Fry chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil, resting for 5 minutes before serving.

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