Golden outside, juicy inside — just like restaurant-style fried chicken!
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–5)
🍗 Chicken
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8–10 chicken drumsticks (or mixed pieces)
🥛 Marinade
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2 cups buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp chili powder (optional)
🥣 Coating
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tbsp cornstarch (extra crisp)
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp black pepper
🛢 For Frying
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Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate
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Mix buttermilk + spices.
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Add chicken, cover.
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Refrigerate at least 2–4 hours (overnight best).
2️⃣ Prepare Coating
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Mix flour, cornstarch & spices in bowl.
3️⃣ Coat Chicken
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Remove chicken from marinade.
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Dredge in flour mixture.
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Press coating firmly for thick crust.
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Rest 10 minutes (helps coating stick).
4️⃣ Fry
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Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
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Fry 10–14 minutes (depending on size).
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Internal temp should reach 165°F (75°C).
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Drain on rack (not paper towel for best crisp).
🔥 Extra Crispy Tips
✔ Double dip (flour → buttermilk → flour)
✔ Add 1 tbsp baking powder to flour (airier crust)
✔ Don’t overcrowd pan
✔ Maintain oil temperature
🌬 Air Fryer Option
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Spray coated chicken with oil.
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Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 22–25 minutes.
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Flip halfway.
🔢 Nutrition (Approx per drumstick – fried)
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Calories: 250–300
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Protein: 18–22g
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WW: 6–8 points (depends on oil absorption)
Secret to Restaurant-Style Crunch
1️⃣ Use Cornstarch
Replace ¼ cup flour with cornstarch → lighter, crispier crust.
2️⃣ Double Dredge Method
Flour → buttermilk → flour again
Press coating firmly onto chicken.
3️⃣ Let It Rest Before Frying
After coating, rest 10–15 minutes.
This helps crust stick and prevents falling off.
🧂 KFC-Style Seasoning Blend (Add to Flour)
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp white pepper
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp dried basil
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½ tsp oregano
Adds deep flavor.
🌡 Oil Temperature Guide
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Ideal frying temp: 325–350°F (165–175°C)
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Too hot → outside burns, inside raw
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Too low → greasy chicken
Use a thermometer for best results.
🥛 No Buttermilk? Use This
Mix:
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1 cup milk
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1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
Rest 5 minutes.
🌬 Oven Baked Version (Healthier)
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
2️⃣ Place chicken on wire rack
3️⃣ Spray lightly with oil
4️⃣ Bake 35–45 minutes
5️⃣ Broil last 3–5 minutes for extra crisp
🍯 Flavor Variations
🔥 Spicy Nashville Style
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Add cayenne to flour
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Brush with spicy oil after frying
🧄 Garlic Parmesan
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Toss hot chicken in melted butter + garlic + parmesan
🍯 Honey Hot
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Drizzle honey + hot sauce mix
🕒 Storage & Reheating
Fridge:
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3–4 days airtight
Reheat best way:
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Air fryer 3–5 minutes
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Oven 375°F for 10 minutes
Avoid microwave (makes soggy).