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-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers chicken drumsticks and thighs, buttermilk, 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 "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

• 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 pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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.