Description
Sizzling Southern fried chicken with jalapeño heat delivers a spicy kick that dances between crispy comfort and bold flavor. Hungry souls will crave this zesty rendition of a classic dish that brings fiery excitement to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
Breading and Spices:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 fresh jalapenos, sliced
Cooking Oil:
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Submerge chicken breasts in buttermilk, refrigerating for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by thoroughly mixing flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Extract chicken pieces from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to cascade off, then meticulously coat each piece with the prepared spice-infused flour mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a substantial cast-iron skillet to approximately 350°F, establishing an ideal frying environment with consistent heat distribution.
- Carefully position breaded chicken into the hot oil, maintaining medium-high temperature, and fry for 6-7 minutes per side until achieving a golden-bronze exterior and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- During the final cooking moments, introduce thinly sliced jalapenos directly into the sizzling oil, allowing them to crisp and release their vibrant, piquant essence throughout the cooking process.
- Transfer chicken and jalapeno slices onto absorbent paper towels, permitting excess oil to drain, then plate and serve immediately while maintaining optimal crispness and temperature.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption, letting buttermilk work its magic on the meat.
- Use fresh, high-quality jalapenos for the most vibrant heat and crisp texture when frying.
- Pat chicken completely dry before coating to ensure a super crispy, golden-brown exterior that won’t become soggy.
- For gluten-free options, swap wheat flour with almond or rice flour to maintain the crunchy coating while accommodating dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg