Crispiest Buttermilk Fried Chicken

This is the crispiest fried chicken that you will prepare. It features a buttermilk and flour-based cayenne coating, deep fried to crispy perfection, perfect for picnics.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 538 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• cold water to cover
• 8 skinless chicken legs
• 0.25 cup kosher salt
• 1.25 tablespoons baking powder
• 1.5 cups canola oil, for frying

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix cold water and kosher salt together in a large bowl until salt dissolves. Add chicken legs. Cover entire bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 2

Remove bowl from the refrigerator; drain and pat chicken dry with paper towels.

Step 3

Place chicken legs in a plastic bag with 1 cup all-purpose flour and shake to coat.

Step 4

Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Mix remaining flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in another bowl. Dip each chicken leg in buttermilk; move to flour mixture and coat well.

Step 5

Heat canola oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 6

Fry chicken legs in hot oil in batches until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).