Chicken Fried Chicken is a beloved classic that makes for a perfect Sunday dinner.
This dish is a comforting blend of crispy, flavorful chicken paired with a rich, creamy gravy.
If you’re looking for a meal that’s satisfying and brings a bit of Southern comfort to your table, this is it.
Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps to create this delicious dish.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken breast: This is usually about 2 large chicken breasts.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Oil and Butter: 2/3 cup of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter for frying.
- Flour Mixture:
- 1 cup of flour
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 2 teaspoons of pepper
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of steak seasoning
- Milk and Egg Mixture:
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 egg
For the Gravy:
- Grease from frying chicken: About 1/3 cup.
- Flour: 1/3 cup.
- Milk: 3 cups.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken:
- Cutting the Chicken:
- Begin by slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. This will make them thinner, allowing for a quicker and more even cook.
- Seasoning the Chicken:
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with a bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This initial seasoning will help infuse the chicken with flavor right from the start.
- Heating the Pan:
- In a large pan, heat 2/3 cup of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. The combination of oil and butter helps in achieving that perfect golden brown crust.
- Preparing the Coatings:
- In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons each of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and steak seasoning. This seasoned flour will give the chicken its flavorful crust.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk and 1 egg. This mixture will help the flour coating stick to the chicken.
- Dredging the Chicken:
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture first, then dip it into the milk and egg mixture, and finally coat it again in the flour mixture. This double dredging ensures a thick, crispy coating.
- Frying the Chicken:
- Once the oil is hot (you can test this by sprinkling a little flour in the oil; it should sizzle), carefully place the chicken pieces in the pan.
- Fry the chicken for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your chicken.
- Resting the Chicken:
- Remove the fried chicken from the pan and let it rest on a paper towel-lined plate. This will help drain any excess oil and keep the chicken crispy.
Making the Gravy:
- Preparing the Roux:
- After frying the chicken, pour out all but about 1/3 cup of the grease from the pan. Be careful as the oil will be very hot.
- Add 1/3 cup of flour to the remaining grease in the pan. Stir continuously to combine the flour and grease, forming a roux. Cook this mixture for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light brown color. This step is crucial as it cooks out the raw flour taste.
- Adding the Milk:
- Slowly pour in 3 cups of milk while stirring constantly. This will help prevent lumps from forming in your gravy.
- Seasoning the Gravy:
- Continue to stir the mixture over medium heat until it thickens. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to taste your gravy and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serving:
- Once the gravy has reached your desired thickness, it’s ready to serve. Pour the gravy over the fried chicken and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Temperature Control: Keep an eye on the temperature of your oil. If it’s too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside before it cooks through. If it’s too cold, the chicken will absorb more oil and become greasy.
- Gravy Consistency: If your gravy is too thick, you can add a little more milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it cook a bit longer to thicken up.
- Resting the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest after frying helps it stay juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Conclusion
Chicken Fried Chicken is a wonderful meal for a cozy Sunday dinner.
With its crispy, flavorful coating and rich, creamy gravy, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household.
This easy-to-follow recipe ensures you’ll get perfect results every time.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Fried Chicken!