Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

This Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy recipe is the ultimate comfort meal. This classic Southern dish includes crispy, golden chicken breasts topped with creamy homemade gravy. It’s perfect for cozy dinners or family gatherings. Serve with mashed potatoes, vegetables, or biscuits for a meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Classic Comfort Food: Chicken fried chicken with country gravy is the epitome of classic Southern comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and will take you back to your childhood with feelings of home and nostalgia.
• Rich Flavor: The crispy, seasoned coating of the chicken pairs perfectly with the creamy, savory flavor of country gravy. The combination of textures and tastes creates a delicious balance that is hard to resist.
• Indulgent: This dish is perfect for when you’re craving something comforting and filling.
• Air Fryer Method or Pan Sear: This recipe will walk you through both cooking methods. You can save a lot of calories and fat by using the air fryer method.

What Type of Chicken to Use

You should use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Here are some things to consider:

• Uniformity: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts offer a uniform thickness, which ensures even cooking. This is important when you’re frying chicken, as it helps prevent parts of the meat from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Easy to Work With: These require minimal prep. You can trim any excess fat or connective tissue, then pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure uniform cooking.
• Portion Size: Chicken breasts provide a generous portion size. You can also cut them into smaller pieces, such as chicken tenders, if desired.

Pound/Flatten the Chicken

I highly recommend you use a meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or your hands to flatten the chicken breasts. Pounding the chicken helps to tenderize the meat by breaking down the muscle fibers. This will result in a more tender and juicy chicken.

Chicken breasts can vary in thickness, with one end being thicker than the other. Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures that it cooks evenly throughout, preventing overcooked or undercooked areas. It will also speed up the cooking time and allow you to achieve a crispy exterior without overcooking the meat.

Double Breading

Dredging or adding breading to foods can be intimidating for some. If you don’t mind getting your hands a little sticky, you will do just fine! With this process, the chicken is coated in seasoned flour, then dipped in egg and buttermilk, and again in the seasoned flour. It gets coated in flour twice.

This method results in a thicker, crunchier coating around the chicken, creating a satisfying texture and flavor. It’s one of the first things you think about when it comes to country fried chicken! That thick coating.

How to Make Chicken Fried Chicken with Country Gravy

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your hands to pound the chicken to an even thickness.
2. Combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
4. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and egg mixture, and again in the flour mixture. Keep a moist towel nearby. Your hand

What Type of Oil to Use (if not Air Frying)

You will want to use an oil with a high smoke point and neutral flavor to ensure the best results. Olive oil and avocado will not work well for pan frying. They both have lower smoke points than the oils listed below that are recommended.

The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil begins to break down and produce smoke. Frying requires high temperatures.

Here are some options:

• Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is a popular choice for frying chicken. It has a high smoke point, which means it can be heated to a high temperature without burning, and its neutral flavor won’t overpower the taste of the chicken.
• Peanut Oil: Peanut oil is another excellent option. It has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it ideal for achieving a crispy coating on the chicken without imparting a strong taste.
• Canola Oil: Canola oil is a versatile cooking oil with a high smoke point and a mild flavor. It’s a popular choice because it allows the natural flavors of the chicken to shine through.

What Type of Pan to Use for Pan Frying

It’s best to use a heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan. Here are options:

• Cast Iron Skillet: I used a 10.25 inch. Use the size that will fit the amount of chicken you plan to prepare. Cast iron distributes heat evenly and retains heat effectively, which helps achieve a crispy exterior on the chicken. Additionally, cast iron skillets can withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for frying.
• Stainless Steel Skillet: A stainless steel skillet is another good option. Stainless steel heats up relatively quickly and provides even heat distribution. Look for a skillet with a thick, heavy base to prevent hot spots and ensure consistent cooking.

Homemade Country Gravy

Country gravy is also known as white gravy and is a classic Southern-style gravy made from pan drippings, fat (like butter), flour, and milk. It’s often served over biscuits, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, or other comfort foods. I’m not stranger to gravy! You can also check out my Turkey Gravy From Drippings and Yellow Gravy recipes.

You will definitely want to make this as an amazing topping!

How to Reheat

Reheating fried chicken while maintaining its crispy texture and juicy interior is a challenge. In general, I recommend only cooking enough for what you plan to eat in that moment. There are some methods that will come close and reheat the chicken fairly well.

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. To help retain crispiness, avoid covering the chicken with foil, as this can trap moisture and make it soggy.
• Use your air fryer and reheat at 350 degrees and place the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Reheat for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• Use the stove and heat a small amount of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through and crispy.

Freezer Tips

The chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality. However, for the best taste and texture, it’s ideal to consume it within 1-2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Pair With These Recipes

Southern Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Fried Corn
Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes
Mixed Greens
Southern Soul Food Cornbread