Simple Classic Fried Chicken Recipe
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Servings:
4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 3 cups lard
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 bone-in chicken breasts (each cut in half crosswise)
  • 2 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups buttermilk
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place the lard in a deep cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
  4. Add half of the spice mixture to the chicken pieces.
  5. Gently rub the spices into the chicken.
  6. Add the flour to a medium bowl then add the remaining spices and stir. Add the buttermilk to a medium bowl.
  7. Dip the chicken pieces one at a time in the flour mixture.
  8. Dip the chicken in the buttermilk.
  9. Dip the chicken back into the flour.
  10. When the lard reaches a temperature of 350 F, cook the chicken batches, starting with the larger breast halves skin side down.
  11. Cook the breasts for 3-4 minutes until golden, then flip. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, flipping a few times to ensure even browning, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
  12. Remove the chicken and place it on a baking sheet lined with a rack. Place the chicken in the oven to keep warm.
  13. Cook the remaining chicken pieces in two batches and serve.