ⓘ
Fried chicken is nearly universally loved. And with so many great recipes, there are heated debates about which seasonings to use, the role of buttermilk, how long to let the chicken rest before frying and single- vs. double-dipping. But home cooks too often deprive themselves of the joys of crispy, juicy, home-fried chicken for one reason: fear.
The Scary Truth About Deep-Frying
It’s not as if the fear is completely irrational. Unless you own an electric deep-fryer, you’re cooking with hot oil on the stovetop, which is known for its tendency to spatter. (Be sure to use a deep fry thermometer for accuracy). Plus, there’s an added concern: The vast majority of house fires start in the kitchen, and grease fires are notoriously bad. So as much as we love fried chicken, it’s understandable that some might hesitate to fill a skillet with oil, light the burner and stand back.
Our Answer
Luckily, the answer is simple. Forget the skillet, and don’t even think about using any other shallow cooking pan. Our Test Kitchen recommends grabbing a pot instead. The key to fright-free deep-frying is using a pot with high sides. A cast-iron Dutch oven is the perfect vessel. It’ll give you plenty of room for a generous layer of oil while keeping the spattering mess to a minimum, and in the unlikely event of a fire, it’s a split-second’s work to set the pot’s lid on top to starve the fire of oxygen.
Test Kitchen Tip: Hot oil is crucial to a successful fry. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the coating will get soggy. Work with a few pieces of chicken at a time to ensure the oil temperature doesn’t drop too much. Once you’ve removed the cooked chicken, wait for the oil to come all the way back up to temperature before adding the next batch.
Now that you’re no longer afraid of the process, you can reap the rewards that home deep-frying brings to our favorite comfort food. And if you still can’t overcome your fear of frying, there are many great recipes for oven-fried chicken, which has a beauty all its own!
Try Our Best Fried Chicken Recipes
Southern Fried Chicken Strips
What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Go to Recipe
Got leftovers? Here's
how to reheat fried chicken and keep it crispy.
Nashville Hot ChickenNo plans to travel to Tennessee? Learn how to make Nashville hot chicken in your home kitchen.
Looking for an air fryer? Here's
our Test Kitchen's favorite brand. Check out these other
air-fryer chicken recipes, too.
Best Ever Fried Chicken WingsFor game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it's so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado. Want to make sure there's fried chicken for every last guest? Learn from the expert how to
fry chicken for a crowd.
Before you move ahead also try these
chicken wing sauce recipes that are simply irresistible!
Craving more country cookin'? Check out these top-notch
Southern chicken recipes.
Cornmeal Oven-Fried ChickenThis cornmeal fried chicken dish perks up the dinner table. Its flavorful cornmeal/bread-crumb coating is a good variation from the usual. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Spicy Fried ChickenAdd 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
Fried Lemon-Pepper WingsThese lemon-pepper wings are perfect for game day. Try these out if you've been stuck in a
chicken wing rut. Add grated lemon zest to the butter mixture if you want a more pronounced lemon flavor. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Crispy Sage Chicken TendersOne of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
For more top-rated ideas, check out these
5-star chicken recipes.
Oven-Fried Chicken DrumsticksThis fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio. Next, learn how to make
oven-fried chicken wings.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Fried ChickenThis crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
This recipe reminds us of KFC. Discover more delicious
copycat chicken recipes!
Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken NuggetsI was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Crispy Ranch Fried ChickenIt's almost impossible to improve crispy fried chicken. A sprinkling of ranch dressing mix in the coating makes it happen, though. The empty-in-seconds serving platter is proof. —
Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Chicken StripsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Oven-Fried Chicken ThighsThese oven-fried chicken thighs are every bit as crispy as the deep-fried version, so put the deep fryer away and preheat the oven instead.
Buttermilk Fried ChickenMaking buttermilk fried chicken from scratch is easy! Brining the chicken with buttermilk ensures it stays juicy and tender, and letting the chicken rest in the seasoned flour creates a crispy coating that actually sticks to the meat.
Potato Chip Chicken StripsThis novel recipe is a fast and tasty change from fried chicken.—Sister Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, Ohio
Savory Mustard Chicken and Stuffing WafflesAdding mustard to the chicken coating adds a tang that's amazing with the savory waffles and sweet maple syrup. —John Ginn, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Spicy-Good Chicken WingsWe enjoy eating these chicken wings while watching football on TV, but make them for any special occasion for a crowd favorite! The pepper sauce gives just the right amount of heat.—Della Clutts, New Tazewell, Tennessee
In case, you're craving wings and don't have time for making them at home, here are some
chicken wings restaurants to try!
Pigeon River ChickenFor a picnic on the Pigeon River, we made chicken marinated in yogurt with a touch of cayenne. It’s delectable warm or cold. —Lib Jicha, Waynesville, North Carolina
