Chicken Fried Chicken is crispy breaded boneless skinless chicken breasts fried to golden perfection and served slathered with country white gravy seasoned with lots of fresh ground black pepper.
I love to serve this dish with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans or baby peas. Comfort food does not get much better than this. If you like my Chicken Fried Steak, then this is a must-try recipe.
How to make Chicken Fried Chicken
Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half horizontally or lengthwise to create 4 thinner chicken breasts. Then if needed, cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound the thick parts with a meat mallet. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
Set up your breading stations. In one shallow wide bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. Then in another shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Using a heavy pan or Dutch oven, heat about 1-inch vegetable oil to 325 degrees. Now dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture.
Fry the chicken until it is golden brown on the bottom, then flip and fry until it is golden brown on the other side. Remove to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain any excess grease. To keep the chicken breasts warm and crispy, place them in a 225-degree oven on an uncovered baking sheet or wire rack.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, whisking continuously. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and creamy. Then whisk in the cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Continue cooking while frequently whisking until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Helpful recipe tips
- Use thin-cut chicken breasts (also known as culets) or cut 2 chicken breasts in half horizontally or lengthwise. You can also pound the chicken breast thin and split them in half.
- This recipe is easy and quick, but it is also busy, so have your sides prepared and ready to go. This recipe is best served promptly. If it needs to be reheated, an air fryer works well.
- The cayenne pepper in this recipe is very mild. In fact, if you like a lot of zest and flavor, add a little more. If you are still apprehensive about it, substitute paprika.
- Keep the chicken in the oven on warm and uncovered while you finish them and while you are making the gravy. It will keep them crispy till the meal is served.
- I like making white gravy with butter, but you can use the oil from frying or bacon grease.
- Though traditionally deep-fried. You can fry the breaded chicken up in about 1/8 – 1/4 inch oil in a cast iron skillet or in a Dutch oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring the chicken to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then reheat it in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes.
What sides to serve with Fried Chicken
You can serve virtually any side, but some of our favorites are southern green beans, baby peas, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, cucumber salad, steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, dill pickle potato salad, buttermilk biscuits, and mac and cheese.
How to tell when Chicken Fried Chicken is done
How do you know when fried chicken is done? Everyone knows that it is golden brown and crispy on the outside, but you don’t want to fry it so long that the meat becomes dry and dense. Chicken is cooked through when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to know that is to use an instant-read thermometer.
How to freeze Chicken Fried Chicken
To freeze first, cool completely. Then place the cooked chicken on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and place it in the freezer on a flat level surface. Once frozen, place the breasts in a sturdy freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat chicken from frozen on an uncovered baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Then increase the temp to 400 degrees and bake for another 5 minutes or until heated through.
More chicken recipes
Chicken Fried Chicken
A quick and easy Southern Chicken Fried Chicken recipe, crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, slathered in a creamy white country gravy. Enjoy it with mashed potatoes and sweet peas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: main meal chicken
- Method: fry
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner ones
- ⅔ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Gravy
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (can sub cooking oil that you fried the chicken in or bacon fat)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1–2 pinches ground cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
- In one shallow wide bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. Then in another shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Using a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat about 1-inch vegetable oil to 325-350 degrees.
- Dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture.
- Deep fry the chicken until it is golden brown on the bottom, then flip and fry until it is golden brown on the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain any excess grease.
- Remove the chicken to an uncovered baking sheet or wire rack and place it in the oven to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking continuously. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and creamy. Whisk in the cayenne pepper.
- Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Continue cooking while whisking frequently until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Serve the gravy ladled over the top of the chicken.
Notes
- Use thin-cut chicken breasts (also known as culets) or cut 2 chicken breasts in half horizontally or lengthwise. You can also pound the chicken breast thin and split them in half.
- This recipe is easy and quick, but it is also busy, so have your sides prepared and ready to go. This recipe is best served promptly. If it needs to be reheated, an air fryer works well.
- The cayenne pepper in this recipe is very mild. In fact, if you like a lot of zest and flavor, add a little more. If you are still apprehensive about it, substitute paprika.
- Keep the chicken in the oven on warm and uncovered while you finish them and while you are making the gravy. It will keep them crispy till the meal is served.
- I like making white gravy with butter, but you can use the oil from frying or bacon grease.
- Though traditionally deep-fried. You can fry the breaded chicken up in about 1/8 – 1/4 inch oil in a cast iron skillet or in a Dutch oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring the chicken to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then reheat it in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes.
Keywords: how to make chicken fried chicken, chicken fried chicken recipe, homemade chicken fried chicken
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MELANIE E
My family loved this chicken. This is comfort food at its best. I served it with mac and cheese and baby peas with pearl onions. So yummy! I will make this again.
★★★★★
Eileen M Loya
Such a fabulous recipe! I love the recipe for the gravy. My husband and sons love this dish. I have to double the recipe when I make this for them.
★★★★★
Ntensibe Edgar
Now, this is a recipe I am carrying with me everywhere! It’s been a while since I last had chicken. Thank you for sharing this recipe with me.
Stephanie
This is very similar to how I make my chicken fried chicken, and it’s delicious! I also love a side of mashed potatoes with it… the better to smother all that gravy!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Julie
Oh yum!!! What a great recipe to make comfort food. I love this chicken fried chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Gervin Khan
Oh my gosh, this was so delicious and so easy to make.
I really loved it!
★★★★★
Amber
Saved this recipe and can’t wait to give it a try. I’ve made chicken fried steak but never chicken fried chicken. Looks yummy
Olga Wefler
Mmm, I love chicken. My oldest son is very picky, but he still eats chicken. Maybe I’ll try your recipe on Saturday.
★★★★★
Monidipa Dutta
Hey there! I stumbled upon your recipe for chicken fried chicken and it looks absolutely delicious! I was wondering if you’ve tried any variations or if you have any suggestions for sides to pair it with? Thanks for sharing such a yummy-looking recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You can serve virtually any side, but some of our favorites are southern green beans, baby peas, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, cucumber salad, steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, dill pickle potato salad, buttermilk biscuits, and mac and cheese.
Maureen
These look so good! Your photos are making me salivate, and I can also tell that it’s the right kind of crisp. These are perfect for lunch and dinner. I can’t wait to try it!
Jupiter Hadley
Chicken fried Chicken makes so much more sense than Chicken fried steak! Thank you so much for this recipe, it looks really delicious, especially with the gravy.
Kelly Anne
You can’t get better than good home-cooked comfort food. This recipe was so good. I always struggle when cooking fried chicken so I followed your tips and it was perfect.
★★★★★
Jasmine Martin
This looks so tasty! I am going to have to make this because I love fried chicken so much. I know it’ll be good.
Rosey
Such a great recipe. The chicken turned out so crunchy. I served it with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was the best meal ever!
Tammy
Oh my goodness this was delish! I love chicken fried chicken. This is my new favorite recipe.
★★★★★
Chad
Fried chicken yay!!! I love love love fried chicken, so good!!! Thank you so much for the recipe, it is awesome.
Samantha Donnelly
I have chicken out for dinner tonight and not thought about what I am going to do with it, Will have to now giive this a try
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Enjoy!
Kelly Anne
You can never go wrong with a good chicken fried recipe. It’s always great comfort food.
★★★★★
Sandra
Such an amazing meal! Thanks for the recipe!
katerina
This was absolutely amazing! My family loved it!! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked it!
Allyson Zea
Tasted exactly like my grandmother used to cooking! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Catalina
Mmmm… This chicken is so crispy and delicious. I made it for the family and they loved it!
★★★★★
Amanda
The picture alone is making my mouth water. I will be making this recipe next week!