Kentucky-Style Fried Chicken
Kentucky-Style Fried Chicken offers crunchy, flavorful coating with tender chicken, perfect for comfort food lovers and gatherings. Crispy, seasoned, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine salad dressing mix, flour, salt, lemon juice, and butter into a paste and coat chicken pieces evenly.
- Stack coated chicken pieces in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- About 1 hour before serving, heat 24 oz. vegetable oil in a heavy 9-inch saucepan.
- Pour 2 cups milk or club soda into a bowl and dip each piece of chicken into the liquid.
- Combine pancake mix, paprika, sage, and pepper in a separate bowl.
- Dust the dipped chicken pieces with the pancake mix mixture.
- Allow the coated chicken to dry for a few minutes without touching.
- Fry a few pieces at a time in hot oil for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown.
- Place fried chicken on a cookie sheet or shallow pan and bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken overnight for the best results. If you don’t have Italian dressing mix, a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and garlic powder can serve as a substitute. Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying to achieve that perfect golden brown color. For a lighter option, you can use a mix of half pancake mix and half whole wheat flour.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Kentucky-Style Fried Chicken with classic sides like coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or cornbread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Wilted Lettuce With Chicken for a refreshing contrast. For a delightful brunch, consider serving it alongside biscuits and gravy or a light salad. Don't forget a tangy dipping sauce to complement the flavors!
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes, ensuring the skin stays crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Kentucky-Style Fried Chicken contains roughly 1720 calories, with 20g protein, 213g carbohydrates, and 95g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (186% of the Daily Value), iron (106% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (82% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2939mg per serving (128% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The best way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken; it should read 165°F. Additionally, the juices should run clear when pierced with a knife, indicating that it’s thoroughly cooked.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).