Chicken Fried Chicken

🍗✨ Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Gravy — Crispy, Juicy, and Comfort on a Plate

Because sometimes dinner just needs to be golden, crunchy, and smothered in gravy.

 

This Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Gravy is the kind of meal that makes people close their eyes after the first bite. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and dripping with a rich, savory gravy that ties it all together.

We’re talking:

• Tender, flavorful chicken thanks to a buttermilk marinade.
• A shatteringly crisp coating made with rice flour and cornstarch for extra crunch.
• A gravy so good you’ll want to pour it over everything on your plate.
• Comfort food vibes that work for Sunday dinner, holidays, or “just because” nights.

If you’ve been craving a fried chicken recipe that’s both classic and a little extra, this is it.

My kids always make fun of me when we go out to eat because this is one of my go to orders! I just love the crunchy of the chicken and the gravy just sends it over the top!

 

What is the difference between country fried chicken and chicken fried chicken?

Nothing. They are exactly the same just different names. It seems to be a regional distinction. Plus a chicken fried steak, the meat is beef, usually a cubed steak.

 

Oil or shortening?

Most traditional southern cooks prefer shortening (like Crisco) to fry chicken but you can use any frying oil like vegetable or peanut oil to fry it in as well. I use vegetable oil.

 

Does it matter what size of chicken breast you use?

I usually purchase 2 pounds of chicken which is roughly 4 chicken breasts. If the chicken breasts are super big and thick, I will pound it out to ½ inch thickness. We want the chicken to cook evenly and the best way to do that is to make sure the chicken breast is uniform in size.

 

What is a good side for chicken fried chicken?

Mashed Potatoes is the obvious choice because it is perfect for that cream gravy! But a long grain rice would pair well with it. I love hearty veggies or a green, crisp salad. Don’t forget a nice dinner roll or cornbread to slop up that yummy gravy.

 

Chicken Fried Chicken

HOW TO MAKE COUNTRY GRAVY:

1. Using about 1/4 cup of your cooking oil add it to a heavy bottomed skillet and heat at medium heat.  If you are using a deep fryer, replace the oil with a 1/4 cup butter, and melt.
2. Whisk in 1/3 cup flour until combined and keep whisking for about 1 minute.
3. Slowly add in 1 cups milk and a cup of chicken broth a little at a time continually whisking until all lumps are gone and gravy has thickened up.
4. Add in salt and pepper to your liking.
5. To be a little extra, we cut up little pieces of leftover steak and add it to the gravy.

 

 

Chicken Fried Chicken

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Ingredients

• Marinade
• 3 lbs. chicken thighs and legs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tsps. salt
• 2 tsps. white pepper
• 2 tsps. garlic salt
• Crispy Coating:
• 1 ½ cups rice flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 2 tsps. baking powder
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• vegetable oil for deep frying – (at least 1 litre/four cups)
• Gravy:
• 1/4 cup reserved oil from frying in skillet or 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• cut pieces of extra steak: optional

Instructions

1. Cover each chicken breast with plastic wrap. Use a meat tenderizer and pound the chicken flat, about 1/2 inch thick.
2. Place the chicken in a bowl. Add the buttermilk, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Mix together, cover and place in the fridge to marinade for at least 1 hour (up to over night)
3. Preheat the oven to a low heat (to keep cooked chicken warm). Heat a large pan of vegetable oil (or preheat your deep fryer) until hot (you can test by dropping a small cube of bread in there, if it rises immediately to the top and starts to bubble rapidly, it’s hot enough). You’ll need at least 4 cups of oil.
4. Mix together the crispy coating ingredients in a small bowl.
5. Take the chicken out of the fridge. Lift a piece from the buttermilk and allow the excess to drip off. Dredge the chicken in the crispy coating mixture – ensuring it’s fully covered. Place on a tray and repeat until all of the chicken is coated.
6. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on 355 degrees until golden brown and cooked in the middle. You can check this by cutting open a piece of chicken, if it’s no longer pink in the middle, it’s cooked. If it’s not done but the skin is getting too dark, continue cooking it in the oven on 200 degrees.
7. Place on a tray in the oven to keep warm while you cook the rest of the chicken. 

8. To make your gravy, in large pan add 1/4" of oil from cooking and heat on medium-high, stir in your flour until absorbed and cook for about 1 minute.

9. Slowly add in your milk and chicken broth whisking to blend and heat until thickened then stir in salt and pepper to desired taste.

10. Pour gravy over individual chicken before serving.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — 6 Servings)

• Calories: ~620
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 36g
• Sugar: 3g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Chicken Fried Chicken

Why Soak Chicken in Buttermilk?

• It enhances the tenderness and flavor of the chicken, as it contains enzymes that help break down the protein fibers.
• It helps the breading to stick to the chicken much better by providing grip.
• It has fat and acids that help break down the outer skin which results in a crispier outer crust.

Buttermilk Substitutes

• ½ cup milk + 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 4 tablespoons milk + enough plain yogurt to make 2 cups.
• 2 tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 10 minutes. It’ll look curdled. Stir to combine.

 

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Spicy Southern — Add cayenne pepper to the coating.
• Herb-Infused — Mix dried thyme, oregano, or rosemary into the coating.
• Gluten-Free — This recipe already is, thanks to rice flour!
• Oven-Fried — Bake coated chicken on a wire rack at 400°F for 40–45 minutes.
• Buttermilk Ranch — Add a packet of ranch seasoning to the marinade.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Make smaller drumettes for little hands.
• Serve gravy on the side for dipping.
• Keep spice level mild — skip chili flakes if needed.
• Pair with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese for a kid-approved plate.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy chicken in bulk — freeze in meal-size portions.
• Buttermilk substitute — 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice.
• Rice flour — often cheaper in the Asian foods aisle.
• Oil sales — stock up when vegetable oil is discounted.
• Seasoning blends — make your own to save money.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #CrispyButtermilkChallenge

I want to see YOUR Buttermilk Fried Chicken creations!

1. Make the recipe.
2. Add your own twist — maybe a spicy glaze, a fun side, or a new gravy flavor.
3. Snap a photo and share it with #CrispyButtermilkChallenge.
4. Tag me so I can feature your masterpiece in my next roundup.

♻️ Leftover Remix

• Chicken & Waffles — Serve with waffles and maple syrup.
• Crispy Chicken Salad — Slice and toss with greens, veggies, and ranch.
• Wrap It Up — Roll in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
• Chicken Parmesan — Top with marinara and mozzarella, bake until bubbly.
• Fried Chicken Tacos — Shred and serve in taco shells with slaw.

💭 Final Thoughts

This Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Gravy is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary night into a celebration. It’s crispy, juicy, and full of flavor — the kind of comfort food that makes people linger at the table.

Some recipes are just food. This one? It’s an experience. It’s the sound of the crust shattering under your fork. It’s the aroma of seasoned chicken hitting hot oil. It’s the rich, velvety gravy pooling on your plate, ready to be scooped up with every bite.

It’s also a reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be made with care, patience, and a little bit of love. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this fried chicken is a guaranteed mood-lifter.

So here’s my challenge: make it, love it, and share it. Post your version with #CrispyButtermilkChallenge so we can all swap ideas and drool together. Because the only thing better than eating fried chicken… is knowing you made it yourself.

Here’s to golden crusts, juicy centers, and recipes that make life delicious. 🍗💛

Did you try our Chicken Fried Chicken? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

 

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