Crispy Popeyes Copycat Fried Chicken Recipe That Wows Every Time

Crispy, golden-brown popeyes copycat fried chicken brings the legendary Louisiana-style magic straight to your kitchen.

Perfecting this iconic recipe requires some culinary cunning and a few secret techniques.

Southern chefs have long guarded their most delectable chicken preparation methods.

Marinating creates deep, robust flavors that make every bite incredibly memorable.

Buttermilk serves as the ultimate tenderizing agent for maximum juiciness.

Seasoned flour coatings promise that signature crunch we all adore.

Mix carefully, season boldly, and you’ll craft restaurant-quality chicken that rivals the original masterpiece.

Proper Storage for Fried Chicken Leftovers

• Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 375F. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to restore crispiness. Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through, checking internal temperature reaches 165F.

FAQs

• Why is buttermilk important in this recipe?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat incredibly juicy and soft while adding a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the fried chicken.

• How does the seasoning mix create the signature Popeyes flavor?

The combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and various peppers creates a complex, bold spice blend that mimics the restaurant’s famous crispy and flavorful coating.

• What's the key to getting a crispy breading that sticks?

Press the seasoned flour mixture gently but firmly onto the marinated chicken, ensuring full coverage and creating a thick, even coating that will become crispy and golden when fried.

Popeyes CopyCat Fried Chicken That Will Blow Your Mind

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Louisiana hot sauce and a blend of spices create a mouthwatering depth that makes every bite incredibly satisfying and packed with bold, zesty flavors.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Cooking: This recipe transforms home cooking into a professional-level experience, letting you recreate a famous restaurant dish with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: Control the heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper, making this recipe perfect for spice lovers and those who prefer milder tastes.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delivers a classic Southern-style chicken that brings families and friends together, guaranteed to impress at gatherings, potlucks, and weekend meals.

Ingredients to Make Crispy Popeyes Style Fried Chicken

• Buttermilk: A tangy dairy product that helps tenderize the chicken and adds rich flavor.
• Louisiana Hot Sauce: Provides a spicy kick and enhances the overall taste of the chicken.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy, golden-brown coating for the chicken.
• Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Blend of spices that add depth and complexity to the breading.
• Cayenne Pepper, White Pepper, Black Pepper: Deliver a spicy and aromatic dimension to the chicken.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall seasoning of the breading.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep-frying the chicken to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil from the fried chicken.

How to Cook the Ultimate Fried Chicken

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

Mix buttermilk and Louisiana hot sauce in a large bowl. Submerge chicken pieces completely in the liquid.

Cover and refrigerate for 4-8 hours to infuse deep, bold flavors.

Step 2: Develop Signature Seasoned Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• White pepper
• Black pepper
• Kosher salt

Whisk ingredients until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Prepare Chicken for Frying

Remove chicken from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. This ensures even cooking and helps breading stick better.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Warm oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F. Use a cooking thermometer to verify precise temperature.

Step 5: Coat and Dredge Chicken

Remove chicken from marinade and generously coat each piece in seasoned flour mixture. Press gently to ensure a thick, even layer of breading.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully place breaded chicken into hot oil. Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.

Cook for 10-12 minutes until exterior turns deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 7: Drain and Rest

Transfer fried chicken to paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Let rest for 5 minutes to seal in juiciness.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your crispy chicken alongside classic sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread.

Prepare for a flavor explosion that rivals the original Popeyes recipe!

Tips to Get Perfect Crispy Skin and Juicy Meat

• Let chicken soak in buttermilk mixture overnight to maximize flavor absorption and guarantee ultra-tender meat.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to keep oil precisely at 350F, ensuring crispy exterior and fully cooked interior without burning.
• Fry chicken pieces in small batches to prevent temperature drops and guarantee evenly cooked, golden-brown crust.
• Press seasoned flour mixture firmly onto chicken to create a thick, flavorful coating that locks in moisture and creates signature crunch.
• Before breading, gently pat chicken pieces with paper towels to remove excess buttermilk, helping breading adhere better and creating crispier texture.

Variations to Customize Your Fried Chicken

• Spicy Buttermilk Ranch Chicken: Replace Louisiana hot sauce with ranch seasoning and add extra cayenne pepper for a creamy, zesty kick.
• Southern Herb Infusion Chicken: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, and sage into the flour mixture for an aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Korean Gochujang Chicken: Incorporate gochujang paste into buttermilk marinade and sprinkle gochugaru pepper in breading for a Korean-inspired spicy version.
• Lemon Pepper Crunch Chicken: Add lemon zest and cracked black pepper to breading, creating a bright, tangy coating with extra texture.

Pairing Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

• Refresh with Tangy Coleslaw: Cut through the rich, crispy chicken with a zesty, creamy coleslaw that balances the spicy breading and provides a cool, crunchy contrast.
• Drizzle Hot Honey Magic: Elevate the flavor by drizzling spicy honey over the chicken, creating a sweet-heat combination that amplifies the cayenne and black pepper in the breading.
• Cool Down with Buttermilk Ranch: Serve a homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce that echoes the buttermilk marinade and offers a creamy, herbal counterpoint to the spicy, crunchy chicken.

Popeyes Copycat Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Craving Southern-style Popeyes Copycat Fried Chicken? Crispy, golden-brown perfection delivers restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen, inviting you to savor each crunchy, perfectly seasoned bite without leaving home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on)

Marinade:

• 3 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce

Breading and Seasoning:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Frying:

• Canola oil or peanut oil (for deep frying)

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Instructions

1. Infuse the chicken with a zesty buttermilk and Louisiana hot sauce marinade, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Refrigerate for 4-8 hours to enhance flavor and tenderize the meat.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend by mixing flour with an array of spices including smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, white and black pepper, and kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
3. Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes, promoting uniform cooking and preventing temperature shock when frying.
4. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to precisely 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal crispiness.
5. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, adherent breading that will crisp beautifully.
6. Carefully lower breaded chicken into hot oil, working in batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain oil temperature. Fry for 10-12 minutes until exterior turns a rich golden brown.
7. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is completely cooked and safe to consume.
8. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, preserving the crispy exterior.
9. Serve immediately while hot and crunchy, accompanied by classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes, tangy coleslaw, or warm cornbread.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tenderizing effect.
• Use a thermometer to precisely monitor oil temperature, ensuring crispy exterior and fully cooked interior.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before breading to help seasoning adhere better and create crunchier coating.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.

• Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (or up to 8 hours)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 655 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1050 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg