The Best Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

Awhile back on the cooking channel they gave this suggestion to make homemade Chicken Fried Chicken and since this is one of my favorite meals, I was excited! It seemed simple but I hadn’t even thought about pounding out the chicken breast.

You can find a mallet in any grocery store. We pound the chicken until it’s about an inch thick (make sure you don’t pound it too much or it will start to fall apart). 

 

 

 

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

🛒 Ingredient Breakdown: What You’ll Need

Chicken & Marinade:

• 2.5–3 lbs chicken thighs and legs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tsps salt
• 2 tsps white pepper
• 2 tsps garlic salt

Crispy Coating:

• 1½ cups rice flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. black pepper
• 1 tbsp. garlic salt
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tsps. baking powder
• 1 tsp chili flakes

For Frying:

• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable oil

Gravy:

• ¼ cup reserved frying oil or butter
• ⅓ cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt & pepper to taste

🧡 Optional: Thin strips of steak for the ultimate carnivore combo!

🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Tenderize like a pro: Flatten chicken thighs and legs to about ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet. This helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
2. Buttermilk soak: Add chicken to a bowl with buttermilk, salt, white pepper, and garlic salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour—overnight if you want that Southern magic.
3. Heat the oil: Preheat a large pan of vegetable oil to 355°F. Check with a bread cube—if it bubbles and rises, you’re good to go.
4. Make the coating mix: In a bowl, combine rice flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic salt, celery salt, paprika, baking powder, and chili flakes.
5. Coat the chicken: Remove each piece from the buttermilk marinade, let excess drip off, and dredge in the crispy coating. Make sure it’s fully covered—double dipping is welcome!
6. Time to fry: Cook chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven.
7. Make your gravy: In a pan, add reserved oil or butter. Stir in flour until absorbed, then whisk in milk and chicken broth until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve with style: Plate your chicken, drizzle with gravy, and garnish with chopped parsley or crispy onions for an extra flair.

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

👉 Numbers may vary slightly based on serving size and oil absorption.

 

 

 

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

💡 Cooking Tips You’ll Want to Bookmark

• Rice flour = maximum crunch. It’s lighter than wheat flour and gives your coating that shatter-crisp texture we crave.
• Cornstarch magic: Helps seal in moisture and crisp up every edge.
• Hot oil is non-negotiable: Cold oil = soggy sadness.
• Keep the oven low and slow: Holding finished pieces in the oven keeps everything piping hot without drying it out.

 

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

🔄 Recipe Variations to Try Next Time

• 🔥 Hot chicken twist: Add a few tablespoons of hot sauce to the buttermilk or cayenne to the coating mix.
• 🍋 Zesty citrus version: A splash of lemon juice in the marinade adds a tangy twist.
• 🧅 Gravy remix: Fold in caramelized onions or chopped chives for that French bistro flair.
• 🧀 Cheesy dreams: Mix shredded cheddar into the coating for a crunchy-cheese shell. Yes, it works.
• 🥩 Bonus steak: Dip thin steak strips into the coating mix and fry until crispy for an epic surf-and-turf situation.

 

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

💬 Final Thoughts

This isn’t just fried chicken—it’s a mood-lifter, conversation-starter, and dinner-table showstopper. From the crispy, golden exterior to the buttermilk-tenderized meat and velvety gravy, every element sings in harmony. It’s got Southern charm with a little bit of sass—just like the best kind of company.

If you’re looking for a meal that feels both nostalgic and new, this is it. Plus, once you make the gravy from scratch, you’ll NEVER go back to the packet stuff. Pinky promise.

Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy