Best Spicy Fried Chicken With Buttermilk Gravy Recipes

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Use kitchen shears to cut off any excess skin from the chicken thighs. Finely chop the skin and refrigerate. Use a sharp paring knife to cut around the bone in each of the thighs and remove.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, a pinch salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the boneless chicken thighs and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Once the chicken has marinated, make the gravy. Combine the chicken broth, whole milk and thyme in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat and cover with a lid.
• Meanwhile, put the olive oil and chicken skin in a large high-sided skillet. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the fat from the skin has rendered and the is skin is browned in spots, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of pepper and cook until tender, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the milk mixture and bring the liquid up to a strong simmer, increasing the heat if needed. Cook until thickened to the consistency of gravy, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Remove and discard the thyme. Cover with a lid to keep warm while you fry the chicken.
• Fill a large Dutch oven a little less than halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a wire cooling rack.
• Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, the cornstarch and Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl. One by one, remove the chicken thighs from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip away, then dredge in the seasoned flour until completely coated.
• When the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches of 2 to 3 pieces until golden brown and the internal temperature is 165 degrees, 5 to 7 minutes total, carefully turning the chicken once halfway through the cooking time. Transfer the fried chicken to the cooling rack. Allow the oil to return to 350 degrees F in between each batch.
• Serve immediately with the gravy. If the gravy thickens too much as it sits, whisk in additional chicken broth to thin the gravy out to your liking.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large shallow dish. Pour buttermilk over; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Drain chicken pieces; add to flour mixture, one at a time, and shake to coat. Shake off excess; let stand on waxed paper for 15 minutes before frying. , Heat 1/8 to 1/4 in. of oil in a large skillet; fry chicken until browned on all sides. Cover and simmer, turning occasionally, for 40-45 minutes, or until juices run clear and chicken is tender. Uncover and cook 5 minutes longer. Remove chicken; drain on paper towels and keep warm. , Drain all but 1/4 cup drippings from skillet; stir in flour until blended. Gradually add milk, then 1-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add remaining water if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with chicken.

SPICY FRIED CHICKEN WITH BUTTERMILK GRAVY

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine 2 cups buttermilk, garlic and pepper sauce. Add chicken and toss. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large heavy skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot but not smoking.
• In a large paper bag, combine dry ingredients: flour, paprika, basil, thyme. pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and salt.
• Remove 1/3 of chicken from marinade, shaking off excess. Place chicken in bag and shake to coat. Shake off excess flour and place in skillet.
• Cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes. Oil should be hot but not smoking.
• Transfer chicken to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Discard marinade but reserve 1/4 c of seasoned flour and leave 3 T of oil in the skillet.
• Bake chicken 20-25 minutes.
• Transfer to paper towel lined baking sheet.
• Return skillet with reserved oil to stove and heat over medium low heat. Whisk in reserved flour and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Whisk in 1 cup buttermilk and heat;do not boil.
• Season with salt and pepper and pepper sauce to taste.
• Transfer chicken to a platter.
• Serve with potatoes and gravy.

BUTTERMILK GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until well combined and bubbly, about 1 minute. Pour in buttermilk gradually and bring to a boil, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. If gravy is too thick, whisk in more buttermilk until you reach your desired consistency. Serve immediately.

PAN FRIED BUTTERMILK CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Cut chicken into quarters or eighths. Soak chicken, refrigerated, in buttermilk for several hours or overnight. In a large brown paper bag combine 1 cup of the flour with paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken in remaining cup of unseasoned flour, dip again in buttermilk, and then toss in the bag with the seasoned flour. Reserve 2 tablespoons of seasoned flour.
• In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, heat 1/2-inch oil to 245 degrees on a fryer thermometer. In batches, carefully add several pieces chicken and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 20 minutes. Cover chicken after turning. Check for doneness with a fork. Place cooked chicken in 325 degree oven to keep warm while finishing remaining chicken.
• After all the chicken has been cooked, pour off all of the oil except 2 tablespoons to make the gravy. Add reserved 2 tablespoons seasoned flour to cooking oil and cook for 3 minutes until medium brown. Whisk hot milk into flour and cook for 2 minutes. Serve finished gravy with chicken. Serve with collard greens (see recipe below) and cornbread.
• Clean collards by removing coarse, wilted outer leaves. Wash and drain. Chop collards into 2 inch pieces, removing bottom of stems first. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add collards and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add water, salt, and pepper and cover. Cook until tender, about 6 minutes.
• Yield: 6 to 8 portions

SOUTHERN SPICY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, and place them in a deep-sided baking dish.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, hot pepper sauce, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken, stir to coat all sides of the chicken pieces, and cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to marinate.
• Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining buttermilk mixture.
• Place the flour, 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste in a large plastic zipper bag, and shake well to combine. Place 2 or 3 pieces of chicken at a time into the plastic bag, and shake well to coat the chicken pieces with seasoned flour.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Gently place chicken pieces into the hot oil, and fry until chicken is cooked through and golden brown, 8-10 minutes (breasts and wings) or 13 to 15 minutes (thighs and drumsticks). Drain the fried chicken on paper towels.

SPICY BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Skin chicken if desired.
• Mix together buttermilk, hot pepper sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl or large plastic bag; add chicken and turn to coat.
• Chill for 2- 24 hours, turning occasionally to keep chicken well coated.
• Drain chicken in a colander until well drained; discard buttermilk mixture.
• Mix together flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a bowl or large plastic bag; add chicken a few pieces at a time and turn or shake to coat well; tap off excess flour.
• Melt shortening or oil in a deep, heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 365 degrees.
• Carefully place chicken, meaty sides down, in hot shortening/oil.
• Cook chicken, uncovered, for 10 minutes (temperature will drop when you add chicken, so don't begin timing until all chicken is added).
• Use tongs to turn chicken; cook for an additional 10- 12 minutes more or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
• Remove chicken from skillet and drain well.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large flat dish.
• Pour buttermilk over chicken and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a double-strength paper bag.
• Drain chicken and toss pieces one at a time in the flour mixture.
• Shake off excess and place on waxed paper for 15 minutes.
• Heat 1/8 to 1/4 inch of oil in a skillet.
• Fry chicken until browned on all sides.
• Cover and simmer, turning occasionally, for 40 to 45 minutes, or until juices run clear.
• Uncover and cook 5 minutes longer.
• Remove chicken and keep warm.
• Drain all about 1/4 cup drippings and stir in flour until bubbly.
• Add milk and 1 1/2 cups water.
• Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
• Cook 1 minute more.
• Add remaining water if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve with chicken.

SPICY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix buttermilk, garlic, 1/8 t. salt, 1/4-1/2 t. pepper, and 1/4 t. cayenne in wide shallow bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning once.
• Transfer drumsticks to wire rack to drain slightly. Combine flour, remaining 2 t. salt, 3/4 to 1-1/4 t. pepper, and 3/4 to 1-1/4 t. cayenne in shallow bowl. Coat drumsticks with flour mixture and place on clean rack or baking sheet. Coat each drumstick again with flour, shake off excess, and let stand at room temperature 30-60 minutes.
• Heat 1/2 in oil in large heavy skillet or electric frying pan to 350-360 degrees. Add half the drumsticks and adjust heat so that oil remains between 300 and 320 degrees. Fry, turning once, until juices run clear when thickest part of drumstick is pierced with fork, 20-24 minutes. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining drumsticks. Serve hot or warm.

SPICY BUTTERMILK-BATTERED FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the buttermilk and red pepper sauce. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 24.
• In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the flour, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, a few at a time, until well-coated. Dip chicken in the buttermilk mixture, then coat again in the flour mixture.
• In a large heavy skillet, pour oil to a depth of 1 inch. Heat the oil to 350°F (Use a deep-fry thermometer to measure the temperature.).
• Carefully add chicken pieces in a single layer, skin side down. Fry about 4 minutes, turn over, and fry the other side for about 4 minutes. Turn again, frying for a total of about 15 minutes, or until chicken is evenly golden brown, crisp, and cooked through. (170F breast meat; 180F dark meat).
• Carefully remove cooked chicken from pan. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHEF JOHN'S BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss together chicken pieces, black pepper, salt, paprika, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, white pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl to coat.
• Stir in buttermilk until chicken is coated. Refrigerate for 6 hours.
• Combine flour, salt, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, white pepper, and onion powder in a large shallow dish.
• Remove chicken from the buttermilk and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess and transfer to a plate.
• Heat peanut oil in a large Dutch oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Add all the chicken to the pan and cook for 10 minutes.
• Turn chicken pieces and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
• Remove chicken from the oil and transfer to a cooling rack set over a paper towel lined baking sheet. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

TEA-BRINED BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN AND GRAVY

Steps:

• For the brine:
• 1. Put the water in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the stove, add the tea bags, and let them steep for 8 minutes.
• 2. Remove the tea bags, or strain the liquid if you used loose tea. Add the salt and sugar to the hot water and stir to dissolve them. Pour the brine into a heatproof container and cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely cold.
• 3. Rinse the chicken with cold water. Place in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 12 hours. After the chicken has spent 12 hours in the brine, make an ice bath in a large bowl with equal amounts of ice and water. Place the chicken in the ice bath for 5 minutes. (The ice will rinse away any impurities.) Remove the chicken and pat it dry.
• 4. Combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the black pepper in a large container. Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture, cover, and let marinate for 1 hour at room temperature.
• 5. While the chicken is marinating, put the chicken skins in a small saucepan over very low heat, adding a small amount of water to prevent the skins from sticking and burning. Cook the skins, stirring frequently so that they don't burn, until their fat is rendered. Strain the fat; you need 1 cup.
• 6. Drain the chicken, quickly rinse under cold water, and pat dry.
• 7. Combine the flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, the remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, the cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika in a large bowl and mix well. Add the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then shake off any excess, transfer the chicken to a wire rack, and let sit for 15 minutes.
• 8. Meanwhile, put the chicken fat, lard, and canola oil in a large, deep cast-iron skillet. Add the bacon and ham and heat the fats over medium-high heat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the fat reads 275°F. Turn the heat off and allow the bacon and ham to infuse the fats and oil for 10 minutes.
• 9. With a skimmer or slotted spoon, remove the bacon and ham from the skillet (discard them or eat as a snack). Set up a rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels, or place a wire rack over the sheet and place alongside the stove. Heat the oil to 300°F. Add the breasts and thighs and cook for 3 minutes. Add the legs and wings and cook for 5 minutes more. (Remove the fat needed for the gravy at this point and start the gravy.)
• 10. Turn the chicken over, cover the skillet, and cook until the pieces of chicken are the color of hay, about another 5 minutes. Remove the lid, turn the pieces again, cover, and cook the chicken until golden brown, another 3 minutes. Add the butter and continue cooking, turning the pieces once, for another 2 minutes or so on each side. The chicken should be crispy and golden brown. Let the chicken rest and drain on wire racks or on a plate covered with paper towels for about 8 minutes, but no longer.
• 11. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve with the gravy.

SPICY BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine buttermilk, 1/4 cup salt, and Tabasco sauce, if using, in a bowl. Transfer to a large, airtight container. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat in the liquid. Cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 200 degrees. Combine flour, remaining 5 teaspoons salt, black and cayenne peppers, and baking powder.
• Place dredging mixture in a large brown paper bag. Shake vigorously. One at a time, place chicken pieces in the bag, and shake to coat. Place coated pieces on a clean plate or tray. Heat vegetable shortening (and bacon drippings, if using) in two 10-inch cast-iron skillets over medium-low heat. Using a frying thermometer to measure temperature, bring shortening to 375 degrees; it should be at a medium, not a rolling, boil. Use tongs to place thighs and drumsticks in skillets. Fry until coating is dark golden on bottom, 10 to 14 minutes; then, using tongs, turn chicken over. Cook until coating is dark golden, another 10 to 14 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into a thigh should register 170 degrees. Drain on brown paper bags or several layered paper towels. Transfer cooked pieces to baking sheets, and place in the oven to keep warm while frying remaining chicken. Using a slotted spoon, remove any bits of coating left in skillets, and discard. Place breasts and wings in skillets. Cook 10 to 14 minutes on each side. Drain on brown paper bags. Remove dark meat from oven, and serve.