Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drumsticks (2024)

FAQs

Why do people soak chicken in buttermilk before frying? ›

The secret to making the perfect fried chicken is the use of buttermilk, as it helps tenderize each piece while leaving each bite juicy and crispy. After marinating, dredge your chicken pieces in the flour mixture and get to frying!

Make the buttermilk soak: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk with the salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerate for 4 hours.

Meat is not properly dry

Most home cooks often struggle with getting the breading part right because they do not let their meat dry properly. If the meat is wet, it will make the flour soggy. In that case, breading will not stick properly and may fall off when deep frying.

When it comes to breading meat, most breading procedures are basically the same. But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

Buttermilk Is More Than A Better Coating

This acidic nature also helps lightly tenderize the meat, creating an even juicier, more succulent texture. Even a few minutes of soaking in buttermilk (or resting after breading) can make a big difference.

Wet Eggs → Dry Breadcrumbs

So now you've got a nice floury coating on the chicken: Time to dip it in eggs. Eggs are sticky, and when they mingle with the flour, they make a gluey paste for the breadcrumbs to stick to. If you're looking to create a nice, thick coating on the chicken, this is the way to go.

dry buttermilk acts exactly like its liquid counterpart. The lactic acid, still present in the dehydrated product, works with the salt to tenderize and season the meat. Once roasted, the sugars in the powder begin to caramelize, rendering a glistening, deeply browned skin.

Plan ahead the chicken needs to marinade in the buttermilk brine for a minimum of 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

Marinating your chicken in buttermilk not only adds tangy flavor, it helps tenderize the meat and the acidity ensures a crispy exterior.

The buttermilk will tenderize the chicken and gives it flavor. To ensure flour sticks to fried chicken, dredge the chicken in seasoned flour, then dip it in an egg wash before coating it again in flour. This double-coating method helps create a crispy crust.

Should I dry chicken after buttermilk? ›

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk brine and use paper towels to dry off the chicken and remove any extra bits of spices. Add the dried chicken into the freezer bag with the flour one at a time and toss to coat. Shake any excess flour off as you transfer the chicken to a wire rack.

It may be too watery. Dry the chicken first with paper towels. It helps to then coat it with a thin layer of flour, then in well-beaten egg whites which will help the coating stick. Then coat with breading and press on it lightly to help it stick.

Egg wash is also used in frying, usually to help a bread crumb crust adhere to a meat or vegetable that's going in the deep fryer. Think of delicious panko fried chicken, then take a moment to wonder how those panko crumbs stuck on there. The answer? Egg wash.

Canola Oil

Benefits: With a high smoke point and neutral flavor, canola oil is excellent for frying chicken. As an added bonus, it has high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which makes it healthier than other options.

Cut the chicken into frying pieces. In a shallow bowl beat the eggs and then stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Soak the chicken in the milk mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Roll the chicken in flour, being sure to completely cover each piece.

What Does Buttermilk Do for Fried Chicken? Marinating your chicken in buttermilk not only adds tangy flavor, it helps tenderize the meat and the acidity ensures a crispy exterior.

Cut the chicken into frying pieces. In a shallow bowl beat the eggs and then stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Soak the chicken in the milk mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Roll the chicken in flour, being sure to completely cover each piece.

While buttermilk is great for baking, it also does amazing things for meat. Its high acidity level helps tenderize everything from roast chicken to braised pork. We also won't fry our chicken without a buttermilk brine—it keeps the bird moist and juicy underneath that crunchy, crackly crust.

Buttermilk is acidic and acid breaks down protein strands, tenderizing the meat. Buttermilk also adds a pleasant flavor to the finished product. Regular milk is not acidic, doesn't break down protein strands, and adds almost no flavor to chicken.