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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes, promoting uniform cooking and preventing temperature shock when frying.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to precisely 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal crispiness.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, adherent breading that will crisp beautifully.
- 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.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is completely cooked and safe to consume.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, preserving the crispy exterior.
- 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