Classic Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/19/22
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 14 mins
Total: 24 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This fried chicken recipe makes enough for about 8 people. For best results, fry the chicken breasts separately at a slightly lower temperature, around 325 F to 330 F.

Keep pieces of chicken warm in a 200 F oven while you fry subsequent batches.

Classic fried chicken recipe

​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup milk

  • Vegetable shortening, canola or peanut oil, for frying

  • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings

  • 2 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) frying chickens, cut into pieces

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for fried chicken
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  2. In a heavy, brown paper bag or large food storage bag, combine the flour, salt, and pepper; shake to blend well.

    Combine flour, salt
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  3. Pour the milk into a wide shallow bowl.

    Pour milk into shallow bowl
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West 

  4. Heat 2 to 3 inches of shortening or canola oil in a deep heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon drippings.

    Heat shortening
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  5. When the oil registers about 350 F on a thermometer, you're ready to fry.

    Water spits
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  6. Dip some of the chicken pieces into the milk. 

    Dip chicken in milk
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  7. Then place in the bag and shake to coat evenly. 

    Place in bag
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West 

  8. Arrange the chicken pieces in the fat, making sure not to overcrowd.

    Arrange chicken
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  9. Fry the chicken until outside is golden brown and crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes, turning once to brown both sides.

    Fry chicken
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  10. Reduce heat to 325 F and fry until cooked through golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Turn once.

    Reduce heat
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  11. Drain chicken on brown paper or paper towels, adding a little more shortening and bacon grease if necessary, setting or regulating the temperature as for the first batch.

    Put chicken on paper towels
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  12. Transfer the chicken to a large platter for serving.

    Fried chicken
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  13. Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!

Tips

  • The best way to check for doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 F. 
  • If you don't have a thermometer prick the chicken with a fork, the juices should run clear with no pink.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
512 Calories
31g Fat
25g Carbs
30g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 512
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 366mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 291mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)