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Delicious country fried chicken served with creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy, perfect for a family dinner.
Alyssa

Country Fried Chicken

Country Fried Chicken is an old fashioned comfort food that's easy to make with chicken breasts and staple ingredients! Serve this with gravy and mashed potatoes for a simple dinner idea for the family.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 348

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 cups buttermilk see notes for substitutions
  • 2 large eggs, whisked
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cups plain or Italian breadcrumbs
  • 2.5 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 0.75 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1.5 teaspoons black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet
  • 1 Meat Tenderizer (for pounding chicken)

Method
 

  1. Wrap each chicken breast in saran wrap and pound it flat to about 1/2 inch thick using a meat tenderizer.
  2. Pat the chicken dry. Combine the whisked eggs, salt, and buttermilk, then add the chicken and marinate for 1-2 hours, or up to overnight. The longer it marinates, the more tender it becomes.
  3. Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for 25-30 minutes before frying.
  4. Transfer the marinated chicken to the breading mix, flipping it several times to ensure it's completely coated and dry.
  5. Avoid breading all the chicken simultaneously; prepare each piece just before frying.
  6. Heat enough oil in a skillet to cover the chicken halfway until it reaches 350°. A cast iron skillet is recommended for optimal frying.
  7. Carefully add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping it delicately with a thin spatula once the edges begin to brown.
  8. Once both sides are browned, transfer the chicken to a wire cooling rack to let excess oil drip off, preventing sogginess.
  9. Repeat the process for all chicken breasts and serve with cornbread, mashed potatoes, and chicken gravy or brown gravy.

Notes

Serve this with gravy and mashed potatoes for a simple dinner idea for the family.