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Crispy Southern Fried Chicken with Golden Fries & Creamy Coleslaw

Restaurant-quality crispy fried chicken with a golden, crunchy coating paired with homemade golden fries and cool, creamy coleslaw. Buttermilk marinade ensures juicy, tender meat while a perfectly seasoned flour blend creates the signature shatter-crust exterior. A complete meal ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

For the Fried Chicken
  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying
For the Fries
  • 4 large potatoes cut into fries
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 tsp salt
For the Creamy Coleslaw
  • 3 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 carrot shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For Dipping
  • BBQ sauce or ketchup

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Place drumsticks in a large bowl and pour buttermilk over them until fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. The buttermilk tenderizes the meat and infuses it with subtle flavor.
  2. Combine all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Mix well with a fork to distribute seasonings evenly.
  3. Cut potatoes into even-sized fries about 1/4 inch thick. Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry with paper towels before frying.
  4. Combine shredded cabbage and carrot in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated. Chill in refrigerator.
  5. Heat vegetable oil to 325°F in a large, heavy pot. Carefully add fries in batches without overcrowding. Fry for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt while hot.
  6. Increase oil temperature to 350°F. Take each drumstick from buttermilk, allow excess to drip off, then roll thoroughly in seasoned flour. For extra crispiness, dredge twice. Carefully place coated drumsticks into hot oil, frying 4 at a time for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to clean paper towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining drumsticks.

Nutrition

Calories: 680kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 38gFat: 42gSodium: 520mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

Marinating overnight produces the most tender chicken. Use a thermometer to ensure accurate oil temperature for best results. Do not overcrowd the pot when frying, as this drops oil temperature and causes soggy results. For extra crispy coating, dredge drumsticks in buttermilk again after the first flour coating, then coat with flour a second time.

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