Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsThe Iowa TaproomSouthern Fried Chicken Recipe

Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time2h
Serves4

Hand-breaded fried chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

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Ingredients

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Chicken Preparation

Breading

Serving

Method

Chicken Preparation

  1. 1

    Marinate the Chicken

    In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.

Breading

  1. 2

    Prepare the Breading

    In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and allow excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture until fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.

Frying

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  2. 4

    Fry the Chicken

    Carefully place the breaded chicken in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Serving

  1. 5

    Assemble the Sandwiches

    Slice the tomato and prepare the lettuce leaves. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun. Place a piece of fried chicken on top, add lettuce, tomato slices, and top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately.

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