Here’s a classic Mama’s Fried Chicken recipe — crispy, juicy, golden, and full of flavor, just like homemade comfort food. 🍗✨

🍗 Mama’s Fried Chicken

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the chicken

2–3 lbs (1–1.5 kg) chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts, wings)
2 cups buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika (optional, for color)

For the coating

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)

For frying

Vegetable oil (enough to deep-fry or shallow fry)

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken

In a large bowl, combine chicken with buttermilk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for juicier chicken.

2. Prepare the coating

In a shallow dish, mix flour and all seasonings.
Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
Dredge chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, pressing lightly to coat evenly.

3. Fry the chicken

Heat oil in a deep skillet or pan to 350°F (175°C) — oil should be deep enough to cover at least half the chicken.
Fry chicken in batches, skin-side down first, until golden brown and crispy:
- Dark meat: 12–15 minutes per side
- White meat: 8–12 minutes per side
Use a meat thermometer — chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.

4. Serve

Serve hot with mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, or cornbread for that full “Mama’s kitchen” experience.

Tips for Extra Crispy Fried Chicken

Double dredge: Dip chicken back into buttermilk and flour for a thicker, crunchier coating.
Rest after dredging: Let coated chicken sit 10–15 minutes before frying — helps flour stick better.
Oven finish (optional): Fry until golden, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes to ensure fully cooked inside.
Flavor boost: Add herbs (thyme, rosemary) or hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade.

I can also give a quick 30-minute skillet version that’s golden and crispy without deep-frying — perfect if you don’t want to deal with lots of oil.

Do you want me to do that?