Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy fried chicken brined in classic Southern sweet tea for a subtly sweet and tender flavor with a crispy golden crust. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, cooled sweet tea, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 4 cups cooled sweet tea. Submerge 8 bone-in chicken thighs in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to create the seasoned dredge.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from brine and pat dry. Dip each piece in 1 cup buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
  4. Step 4: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Drain fried chicken on a wire rack over paper towels before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken?

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 Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken 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 Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken?

Southern chicken 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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