Description
Homemade Popeyes Copycat Fried Chicken brings Southern comfort straight to kitchen counters with crispy, golden perfection. Crunch through this irresistible recipe that delivers restaurant-quality flavor you can recreate with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts)
Marinade:
- 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
Dry Coating:
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Frying:
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Immerse chicken pieces in buttermilk, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of 60 minutes or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor absorption.
- Combine flour with an aromatic blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a separate mixing container.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or expansive skillet to a precise 350°F, ensuring optimal frying temperature.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken piece by dipping into the seasoned flour mixture, gently shaking off any surplus coating.
- Strategically place chicken portions into the sizzling oil, maintaining adequate spacing to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Execute frying process in systematic batches, rotating pieces periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior, approximately 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches safe consumption level.
- Extract chicken from hot oil, positioning on wire rack or absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess grease and maintain crisp texture.
- Serve immediately while maintaining peak crunchiness and temperature for maximum culinary enjoyment.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk overnight to tenderize and infuse deep flavor, ensuring juicier meat with maximum seasoning penetration.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on spice tolerance, creating a personalized heat level that suits individual preferences without overwhelming the palate.
- Let chicken rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying to guarantee even cooking and prevent cold spots that might result in undercooked sections.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165F, guaranteeing food safety while maintaining optimal crispiness and moisture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 646 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 721 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 143 mg