14 Fried Chicken Recipes From Our Test Kitchen

Pickled-Jalapeño Fried Chicken

Don't let that liquid in the jalapeño jar go to waste! Here it serves as the perfect spicy-tangy brine for fried chicken. Let your chicken marinate overnight before breading in a flour mixture that gets a hint of smokiness from cumin and smoked paprika.

Test Kitchen Tip: Put the spicy chicken pieces on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven to keep it warm while you fry the rest of the bird.

Spicy Sriracha Fried Chicken

Bring on the heat with this fiery take on fried chicken. A half-cup of sriracha serves as the marinade for a truly sweat-inducing (yet delicious) experience. Cornflakes make the coating on drumsticks and chicken thighs extra crispy. The creamy sriracha dipping sauce takes the flavor up another tasty notch.

Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken

Here it is! The classic fried chicken recipe that tastes just like Mom's. A magical brine of buttermilk and salt with just a smidge of sugar gives this fried chicken unbeatable flavor. A Dutch oven works just fine for frying, so there's no need for a deep-fat fryer.

Paula Deen's Herb-Fried Chicken

Paula Deen is a master in the kitchen when it comes to comfort food, so you know this Southern fried chicken recipe is no joke. After breaking down a whole chicken (you can also buy pre-cut meaty chicken pieces), the flour mixture is infused with your choices of fresh sage leaves or parsley. Add a squeeze of lemon just before digging in.

Green Chile Fried Chicken

Lovers of traditional fried chicken will be wowed by this version seasoned with sour cream and chile peppers. Get a head start by marinating the chicken overnight and frying the next day. Serve with hot sauce and lime wedges for an extra zesty finish.

Buy It: National Presto Stainless Steel Pro Fry Immersion Element Deep Fryer ($60, Amazon)

Oven-Fried Chicken

Looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken? Enjoy great fried flavor and texture without all the oil with this oven-fried chicken recipe. A coating of crushed cornflakes and spices piles on delicious flavor minus the added fat. Try our fried chicken tenders recipe variation for quicker cooking.

Corn Bread Donuts with Fried Chicken

Expect everyone to get heart eyes for this delightful fried chicken recipe. The savory corn bread donut makes the perfect base for battered chicken tenders. A deep, heavy skillet is all you'll need to get those juicy little tenders cooked. Serve with a drizzle of hot honey for the ultimate bite.

Buy It: Circulon Deep Nonstick Frying Pan ($50, Amazon)

Pan-Fried Chicken with Polenta and Vegetables

This juicy pan-fried chicken is a 30-minute skillet meal you'll make on repeat. Boneless chicken breasts are simply seasoned with salt and pepper before dipped in buttermilk and flour. Once they're nice and crispy, add some spinach to the pan drippings and enjoy with polenta.

Test Kitchen Tip: Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use our fried chicken guide to find out the optimal temperature for every cut of meat.

Maryland Fried Chicken

What sets this historical fried chicken apart from other recipes? There are several variations but our recipe adds milk to the pan after partially cooking. This lets the meat simmer to finish for a less crispy coating but a nice moist piece of chicken. Complete your fried chicken and gravy dinner with a hearty mound of mashed potatoes.

Copycat Chicken Sandwich

With all the takeout restaurants fighting for the unofficial "Best Chicken Sandwich" title, you can make your own contender right at home. Our Test Kitchen's copycat fried chicken sammie is strikingly similar to the one found at your favorite drive-through. The secret to getting the perfect tangy flavor in every bite? Pickle juice.

"Fried" Chicken Thighs

It's fortunate that chicken thighs make excellent fried chicken while also (usually) being the cheaper option in the meat department. Here we've created a tasty "fried" chicken that involves significantly less oil thanks to using an air fryer. The recipe starts with a classic buttermilk brine before dredging in whole-wheat breadcrumbs for a better-for-you twist that still achieves the signature crunch.

Buy It: Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer ($130, Amazon)

Ranch Fried Chicken

Ranch dressing fans unite! This delicious fried chicken recipe uses the same salad seasoning flavors (garlic, onion, dill, and buttermilk) to infuse the breading. Oh, and we also bake these beauties in the oven to skip the oil bath.

Pan-Fried Pretzel Chicken

This mouthwatering fried chicken might look difficult and therefore be something you'd rather order off a menu. But we're here to show you that this delicious chicken sandwich can be on the table in 30 minutes flat. Salty crushed pretzels make the ultimate crunchy coating for this pan-fried chicken.

Spicy Peking Wings

For a unique starter, try our fried chicken wings recipe. Toss a couple pounds of wings in the fryer for a quick 10-minute cook time. The spicy-sweet wing sauce simmers together white wine, plum sauce, ginger, and chili-garlic sauce. It's seriously lick-your-fingers-clean good.