Go Back
Spicy Fried Chicken

Spicy Fried Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks (about 2 lbs)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 2 tsp kosher salt (for brine)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (for dredge)
  • Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying (about 4 cups)
  • Hot honey, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, and 2 tsp salt. Add chicken, coat well, and refrigerate 2 to 12 hours.
  2. Combine flour, cornstarch, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and 1 tsp salt in a dish.
  3. Remove chicken from brine, dredge in flour, dip back in buttermilk, then pack on a second thick flour coat. Rest on a rack 10 minutes.
  4. Heat oil to 350°F in a heavy skillet. Fry in batches, thighs 14 to 16 minutes, drumsticks 12 to 14 minutes, turning once, until 165°F internal. Drain on a wire rack.
  5. Whisk honey with hot sauce, drizzle over the hot chicken, and serve immediately.

Notes

The marinating time is not included in the prep total. Letting the coated chicken rest on the rack is critical for a crust that stays put in the oil. Hot honey is optional but it balances the spicy, saltiness of the crust with a sticky sweetness that keeps you reaching for one more piece.