Southern-Style Fried Chicken with Hush Puppies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

Classic Southern fried chicken with a perfectly crispy golden crust paired with sweet and savory hush puppies, making a comforting and satisfying meal. This Southern American chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers chicken drumsticks and thighs, buttermilk, and hot sauce into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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

• 8 pieces (about 3 lbs) chicken drumsticks and thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• enough to fill 3 inches in a large skillet vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal (for hush puppies)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for hush puppies)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder (for hush puppies)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg

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, whisk together 2 cups buttermilk and 2 tbsp hot sauce; add 8 pieces chicken drumsticks and thighs, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to marinate.
2. Step 2: In another large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder; mix well.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, enough to fill about 3 inches.
4. Step 4: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to adhere; fry in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F; drain on paper towels.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare hush puppies by mixing 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 cup finely chopped onion in a bowl.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk 3/4 cup milk and 1 large egg; stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
7. Step 7: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of hush puppy batter into hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown; drain on paper towels.
8. Step 8: Serve the fried chicken hot with fresh hush puppies on the side for a true Southern comfort meal.