Easy Paula Deen Southern Fried Chicken Recipe: A Crispy Delight

Southern fried chicken represents a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary poultry into a crispy, golden sensation.

Regional traditions deeply influence this beloved dish’s preparation and significance in home cooking.

southern kitchens have perfected the art of creating perfectly seasoned, crunchy exterior chicken that ensures maximum flavor with every bite.

Generations of home cooks have passed down techniques that guarantee a mouthwatering result that goes beyond simple meal preparation.

The magic happens when carefully selected ingredients meet precise cooking methods, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Skilled cooks understand the delicate balance between seasoning, coating, and frying temperature that elevates this classic recipe from good to extraordinary.

You’ll want to gather high-quality ingredients and approach the cooking process with patience and passion: Dive into this culinary adventure!

What Makes Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken Recipe So Crispy

• Savor Southern Comfort: This fried chicken recipe captures the authentic, hearty flavors of traditional Southern cooking with its perfect blend of spices and crispy coating.
• Master Quick and Delicious Cooking: The recipe is straightforward, taking just 30 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for home cooks who want restaurant-quality chicken without complicated techniques.
• Enjoy Texture-Perfect Crunch: The combination of hot sauce-infused egg wash and self-rising flour creates an incredibly crispy exterior that gives way to juicy, tender meat with every delightful bite.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Paula Deen's House Seasoning allows for personal taste adjustments, letting you dial up the heat or keep it mild while ensuring each chicken piece is packed with mouthwatering flavor.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

Main Ingredients:

• Whole Chicken or Chicken Pieces: Classic Southern protein that provides the base for the fried chicken, best when fresh and at room temperature.

• Self-Rising Flour: Creates a crispy, light outer layer that gives the chicken its signature Southern crunch, ideal for achieving golden-brown texture.
• Eggs, Hot Sauce: Helps flour adhere to chicken and adds a zesty flavor kick, with hot sauce providing extra Southern-style heat.

• Paula Deen's House Seasoning: Signature blend that provides deep flavor and enhances the chicken's overall taste profile, perfect for authentic Southern seasoning.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil with high smoke point that allows deep frying at consistent temperature, ensuring even and crispy chicken cooking.

How to Prepare Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Oil

Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fill the pot no more than halfway to prevent dangerous oil splashes and ensure safe cooking.

Step 2: Create Spicy Egg Wash

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with hot sauce until the mixture turns a vibrant orange color. Use approximately of mixture for even coating.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Generously rub chicken pieces with Paula Deen’s House Seasoning. Ensure complete and even coverage on all sides of the chicken for maximum flavor.

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Dip each seasoned chicken piece into the egg wash, making sure it’s completely covered. Then roll the chicken in self-rising flour, gently shaking off excess coating for a light, crispy texture.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully place coated chicken into hot oil. Fry until achieving a beautiful golden brown color.

Tips for Getting Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken Perfect

• Drain Smartly: Place hot chicken on a wire rack with paper towels underneath to catch excess oil while keeping the coating crispy and preventing soggy bottoms.
• Temperature Trick: Monitor oil heat constantly with a reliable thermometer, ensuring it stays precisely at 350°F (175°C) for golden, non-greasy fried chicken.
• Seasoning Secret: Add extra flavor by mixing herbs and spices directly into your flour mixture, creating a more complex and delicious coating.
• Coating Champions: Create multiple flour dredging layers by repeating the egg wash and flour process twice, guaranteeing an incredibly crunchy exterior.
• Patience Pays Off: Allow chicken pieces to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking, helping them cook more evenly and retain juiciness.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by vacuum sealing cooled chicken pieces. Eliminate air exposure completely, preventing freezer burn and maintaining crispy coating. Extend storage life up to 4 months with this professional preservation method.
• Freeze Strategically: Spread chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch. Flash freeze for 2 hours until solid, then transfer to labeled freezer bags. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking and preserve individual piece integrity.
• Refrigerator Care: Store chicken in shallow, airtight glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep at the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 3 days for optimal taste and food safety, checking for any signs of spoilage before reheating.

Fun Variations for Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

• Spicy Cayenne Kick: Replace hot sauce with cayenne pepper and add extra red pepper flakes for a more intense heat level. Adjust spice according to personal tolerance.
• Herb-Infused Southern Style: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano into the self-rising flour for an aromatic herb-enhanced coating. The herbs will create a sophisticated flavor profile.
• Buttermilk Southern Soak: Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk overnight before seasoning and coating. This technique ensures incredibly tender and juicy meat with enhanced flavor depth.
• Crispy Cornmeal Crunch: Blend cornmeal with self-rising flour for an extra crispy and textured exterior. The cornmeal adds a subtle nutty flavor and creates a more robust crunch when fried.

Closing Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

Southern fried chicken embodies comfort and culinary tradition from Paula Deen’s kitchen.

Classic recipes connect generations through sizzling aromas and crispy textures.

Homemade goodness transforms ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

Chicken pieces emerge golden and irresistible from hot oil, promising delectable satisfaction.

Southern cooking celebrates heritage with each carefully seasoned bite.

Passionate cooks will adore this authentic recipe that whispers stories of family gatherings – share this delightful method, comment with your memories, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Paula Deen Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets culinary perfection with Paula Deen’s legendary fried chicken. Crispy golden exterior and juicy meat inside promise a mouthwatering journey through classic Southern hospitality that will satisfy you completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 ½ pounds (1.13 kilograms) chicken, cut into pieces

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• Paula Deen’s House Seasoning

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup hot red pepper sauce

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Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C), maintaining a level no more than halfway to prevent dangerous oil splatters.
2. Create a vibrant orange-hued marinade by whisking eggs with hot sauce in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Season chicken pieces comprehensively with Paula Deen’s House Seasoning, massaging the spices into every crevice to ensure maximum flavor penetration.
4. Dunk each seasoned chicken piece into the egg and hot sauce mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off before generously coating with self-rising flour, gently shaking to remove loose powder.
5. Carefully lower flour-coated chicken into the sizzling oil, maintaining a consistent temperature to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior.
6. Fry dark meat cuts for approximately 13 to 14 minutes and white meat portions for 8 to 10 minutes, monitoring color and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
7. Remove chicken using metal tongs, allowing excess oil to drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels to maintain the crispy texture and reduce greasiness.

Notes

• Maintain precise oil temperature to prevent greasy or burnt coating during frying.
• Select a deep pot with half-filled oil for safe and uniform chicken cooking.
• Create an extra crispy exterior by double-dredging chicken in egg and flour mixture.
• Ensure chicken safety and perfect doneness by using a meat thermometer.
• Preserve crispiness by cooling fried chicken on a wire rack for optimal air circulation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 609
• Sugar: 0.5g
• Sodium: 746mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 7.3g
• Carbohydrates: 24.7g
• Fiber: 0.8g
• Protein: 34.8g
• Cholesterol: 219mg