Mom’s Southern Fried Chicken

How To Make Fried Chicken

by Alli

When it comes to southern fried chicken, my mom is a legend. Over the years, I’ve seen family members scarf down up to seven pieces of her southern fried chicken. I pinkie swear!

Yes, it’s that good. The first time my husband tasted my mom’s southern fried chicken, he was hooked – on me and my mom’s cooking!

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

Over the years, I’ve watched mom fry chicken for 75+ people and never blink an eye. After all, she was in the zone when it came to frying chicken. Of course, mom doesn’t have a recipe. I mean, what southern cook goes by a recipe? However, I’ve watched her so many times over the years, I think I’ve got it down pat.

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

How to Make Mom’s Southern Fried Chicken

To Brine or Not to Brine

Brine simply means to soak in salty water. It makes the chicken more tender. Some southern cooks soak their chicken in buttermilk. Mom did not. After cutting up her Claxton chickens (the only brand she used and yes, she cut up her own chicken), mom would place them in a brine (salty water) and let them sit overnight in the fridge.

The Smaller, the Better

I’ve heard mom say a million times to always use small chickens when you’re making fried chicken. The smaller the bird, the more tender the chicken. These chickens are often referred to as broilers/fryers.

Simple Coating

I’m about to give you the secret to mom’s amazing southern fried chicken! Her coating is really simple. There’s no dipping station needed. There are no eggs or buttermilk.

It’s just self-rising flour, salt, and pepper. That’s it. We don’t like a thick coating and mom’s chicken is always tender and delicious.

The Oil for Frying

Peanut oil is the only oil I use when it comes to frying chicken. Peanut oil has a high smoke point and neutral taste. It’s perfect for frying foods. It’s also low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Heat Oil to 350º F. When you place the chicken into the hot oil, it will drop to 325º F, the perfect temperature for frying chicken.

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

Deep-Fry Method: If you’re frying the chicken in a deep fryer, cook dark meat for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Chicken breasts cook faster, about 10-12 minutes. Place on a towel-lined platter to drain.

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

To cook chicken in a skillet: Heat 1/2″ oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken skin side down for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Turn and cook for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown.

Mom’s Southern Fried Chicken

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 small broiler/fryer chickens, cut up
  • Peanut oil for frying
  • Brine (4 cups water, 4 Tablespoons salt)
  • Self Rising Flour
  • Salt, Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Soak chicken overnight in the salt water brine.
  2. Before frying, remove chicken and rinse. Pat dry.
  3. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat oil to 350º F.
  5. While oil is heating, dip chicken pieces in self-rising flour to coat.
  6. Deep Fryer: Cook dark meat for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Chicken breasts cook faster, about 10-12 minutes. Place on a towel-lined platter to drain. 
  7. Pan Fry: Heat 1/2" oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken skin side down for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Turn and cook for another 15 minutes or until chicken is golden brown.
  8. Drain on a paper-towel lined platter.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Childhood Memories

When I was a little girl, I remember mom frying chicken in a cast-iron skillet on her gas stove. As I grew up, they took it outside with a huge deep fryer.

Mom prepared the chicken and dad fried it and all was right with my world.

Mom's Southern Fried Chicken

My mom would give her southern fried chicken recipe up at the drop of a hat. My uncle always said his chicken never came out quite like my mom’s. I say it’s because of the love my mom put into everything she cooked.

Helpful Hint: Click here to find an excellent article on healthy cooking oils for deep frying!

I do hope you try my mom’s recipe and let me know what you think!

Food Photos - Ginger Lime Grilled Ribs - Nautical Baby Shower - Fried Peach Pies

Mom has always been famous for her Southern Fried Chicken and I'm finally sharing her recipe. My family loves it when I make Southern Fried Chicken!

You may also like

Deep-Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving

Southern Fried Chicken - Deep Fried Turkey

Best Rub to Use When Frying a Turkey

Vidalia Onion Rings

Vidalia Onion Rings

 

25 comments

robin rue September 11, 2017 - 6:31 am

Mmmm, southern fried chicken is the best. I have to try your recipe because it sounds amazing. Love me some fried chicken.

Reply
Amber Myers September 11, 2017 - 8:27 am

Thank you for this! I just LOVE fried chicken but have never dared to make it before. I might have to try it out. It doesn’t seem too difficult.

Reply
Melinda September 11, 2017 - 9:18 am

I can taste it right now. I sure miss moms fried chicken.

Reply
valmg @ Mom Knows It All September 11, 2017 - 9:21 am

Hubby loves fried chicken, it’s one of his favorite foods. He loves a nice and crunchy, seasoned coating on his chicken.

Reply
Jeanettte September 11, 2017 - 10:11 am

I have not had fried chicken in decades. When I was a kid we would eat it every once in a while and I always loved it. I should make it again just for the fun of it. This looks delicious.

Reply
Sarah Bailey September 11, 2017 - 11:13 am

I have to admit I’ve never tried making my own southern fried chicken but what a great idea. I bet it tastes absolutely delicious as well.

Reply
Kita Bryant September 11, 2017 - 2:59 pm

You can never ever go wrong with some southern fried chicken. It’s been one of my favorite dishes since I was little.

Reply
candy September 11, 2017 - 4:14 pm

If it is moms recipe well it must be amazing. Getting that time of year where fried chicken sound delicious.

Reply
Melanie Smith September 11, 2017 - 5:04 pm

When i saw that picture of the fried chicken i started drooling for sure! hahaha! Now i have to eat some fried chicken!

Reply
Our Family World September 11, 2017 - 6:20 pm

I will try your mom’s tip of brining the chicken overnight. I will also get broiler chicken. I remember my mom saying that they are more tender too. Thanks for sharing this recipe. We’ll be having this for dinner tomorrow. Yum.

Reply
Jenn @ EngineerMommy September 11, 2017 - 8:03 pm

Fried chicken is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. The truth is that I don’t have a foolproof recipe so I will definitely try yours. It sounds fabulous.

Reply
Mimi Green September 11, 2017 - 9:36 pm

Good fried chicken is what I grew up on. My family fries it in a cast iron pan. These days I fry mine in the deep fryer.

Reply
Cheryl September 11, 2017 - 9:51 pm

I love this! I typically brine my chicken in buttermilk, but I tried a water brine and found the chicken to be moist and delicious. And I love that you only used salt and pepper! It reminds me of the chicken my grandma made when I was little.

Reply
Lisa September 11, 2017 - 10:17 pm

That looks like perfectly fried chicken. I never got the hang of frying chicken until I got a deep fryer. It makes sure it comes out great every time.

Reply
Liz Mays September 11, 2017 - 10:43 pm

I’m not used to frying with oil so this is helpful! The breading on this fried chicken is simple and sounds tasty.

Reply
Anosa September 12, 2017 - 4:49 am

I didn’t know people soak chicken in salt water before frying that’s really interesting tip.
Your mum’s southern fried looks absolutely delicious

Reply
Debra Hawkins September 12, 2017 - 2:49 pm

I LOVE making homemade fried chicken! I am going to have to try out this recipe. I love finding new ones to try!

Reply
Chubskulit Rose September 12, 2017 - 4:45 pm

We just had fried chicken yesterday and it was so good. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I love southern fried chicken.

Reply
Marysa September 12, 2017 - 5:17 pm

Looks nice and crispy. I’ve never made fried chicken and this sounds like a great recipe. I love remaking my mom’s recipes, takes me back to my childhood.

Reply
Sandy N Vyjay September 13, 2017 - 4:08 am

Always amazed how, take any culture, cuisine, or country, nothing can beat a Mother’s cooking and here recipes.

Reply
Weekly Rays of Sunshine # 246 | Recipes and Ramblings with the Tumbleweed Contessa September 16, 2017 - 10:54 am

[…] An Alli Event:  Southern Fried Chicken […]

Reply
Nick December 23, 2018 - 9:19 am

Love it! I just try to make this type of fried chicken and that’s why I have searched on google for the best tips then i get the post. These really good tips and helpful. Thank you for this nice tips.

Reply
EL Mehdi March 28, 2019 - 9:18 am

I can never get enough of these fried chicken <3
Thanks for sharing it Alli

Reply
Bailey @ best chicken in melbourne January 20, 2020 - 12:02 am

This is an awesome fried chicken recipe. It looks so good and delicious. Thank you for sharing this. I will definitely try this one.

Reply
Travis Tatasciore August 15, 2021 - 12:19 pm

This was stunning! There’s nothing like a mother home cooked meal! My whole family loved it! Thank you so much for taking the time to share!
Cheers!!!

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe