Spicy Fried Chicken

Total Time Prep: 25 min. + marinating Cook: 15 min./batch
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Spice lovers, rejoice! This spicy fried chicken recipe uses hot sauce in the buttermilk marinade and cayenne pepper in the seasoned flour breading, creating crispy fried chicken with a seriously spicy kick.

Ingredients

  • 1 quart buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup hot pepper sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
  • COATING:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add chicken; turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture. Dip chicken in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. Arrange on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Let stand 30 minutes.
  3. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry chicken, several pieces at a time, until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 7-8 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked chicken: 553 calories, 40g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein.

Add a pinch of heat to your favorite fried chicken with this spicy version. Don't be fooled—this tender chicken's hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper seasoning might seem mild at first, but it'll linger in your mouth. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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