Simple and delicious fried chicken doesn’t get much better than this.

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken

There are so many delicious recipes for fried chicken out there.

They vary based on the spices and coatings used, as well as the methods applied for coating the chicken.

This recipe is the exact same one that my grandmother made only she used vegetable oil.

The only change I made is that I use canola oil.

About the Ingredients

Her recipe only has 5 ingredients (chicken, salt, pepper, flour and oil).

Sometimes I just can’t resist, and I’ll add some more spices but I’m always sorry I did.

It just doesn’t taste as good as when only using salt and pepper.

It’s just one of those recipes where less is more.

About Serving

This fried chicken is so delicious served warm or chilled right out of the fridge.

The crunchy bits in the bottom of the skillet make the most delicious gravy too.

Let’s check out the ingredients.

Fried chicken ingredients

Cut up whole chicken fryer, salt, pepper, flour and canola oil

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.

For the Chicken:

Raw cut chicken pieces on plate

Salt and Pepper…

Seasoned pieces of raw chicken

Sprinkle the pepper,

Add pepper to raw chicken

and,

Add salt to raw chicken on plate

salt on each side of the chicken.

Flour:

Add flour to bowl

Add the flour to a shallow bowl and dredge a piece of the chicken in flour…or two pieces if your bowl is large enough.

Dredge raw chicken in flour

Generously coat the chicken in flour on all sides.

This piece of chicken looks so comfy cozy in the flour.

Canola Oil:

Add canola oil to pan

Next,

Canola oil in skillet

…heat a large skillet on medium heat and add the oil so that it’s about 1/2 inch deep in the skillet.

Depending on the diameter of the skillet, you may need 1-1/2 to 2 cups of oil.

Fry:

Flour in canola oil in pan

Sprinkle a tiny bit of the flour in the oil and if it sizzles, add the pieces of flour-coated chicken.

Cook chicken in frying pan

Continue to dredge as many pieces of chicken in the flour that will fit in the skillet without crowding.

Depending on the size of the skillet a second batch may be needed to finish frying the remaining pieces of the chicken.

Cook fried chicken in skillet

Using a cooking or carving fork, turn the chicken regularly as it turns a golden color.

Cook fried chicken in skillet

Try to poke the fork into the outside edges of the skin when turning the chicken rather than in the middle of the meat (so the juices don’t run out).

When turning the chicken, a cooking fork tends to keep the crispy skin looking nicer, than when using tongs.

If the oil starts to bubble quickly or splatter out of the skillet, turn the heat down just a bit.

Cook fried chicken in skillet

Keep an eye on the chicken to see if it’s turning a dark brown color (rather than a golden color) or cooking too quickly.

If so, turn the heat down just a bit.

Lay a small cooling rack over a large plate.

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken on plate

Continue to let the chicken cook until all sides are a medium to dark golden color (about 30 to 40 minutes).

Cool:

As the pieces of chicken are done cooking, remove them from the skillet and lay them on top of the cooling rack.

The larger pieces of chicken like the breasts, may take the longest time to cook.

Serve:

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken

Serve warm or cold right out of the fridge.

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken

It’s delicious served warm with mashed potatoes and gravy, or cold for lunch, or as a late-night snack.

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken

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Easy Fried Chicken

Simple Homemade Fried Chicken

Simple and delicious comfort food that doesn't get much better than this.
4.8 from 9 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 whole cut-up fryer chicken
  • 1 tablespoon (heaping) ground black pepper
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 to 2 cups canola oil (amount depends on the skillet size and number of batches)

Instructions

  • Lay a small cooling rack over a large plate and set aside.  (This will be where the cooked chicken is transferred to).
  • Sprinkle pepper and salt on each side of the chicken.   Set aside.
  • Add flour to a shallow bowl and dredge a piece of the chicken in flour, or two pieces if your bowl is large enough.
    Generously coat the chicken in flour on all sides. Set aside for a moment.
  • Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add the oil so that it’s about ½ inch deep in the skillet.
    Depending on the diameter of the skillet you may need 1-½ to 2 cups of oil.
  • Sprinkle a tiny bit of the flour in the oil and if it sizzles add the pieces of flour-coated chicken to the oil (be careful not to crowd the pan). 
    Continue to dredge as many pieces of chicken in the flour that will fit in the skillet without crowding.
    Depending on the size of the skillet, some of the chicken may need to be cooked in a second batch.
  • Using a cooking or carving fork, turn the chicken regularly as it turns a golden color. Try to poke the fork into the outside edges of the skin when turning the chicken rather than in the middle of the meat (so the juices don’t run out). 
    When turning the chicken, a cooking fork tends to keep the crispy skin looking nicer than when using tongs.  
  •  If the oil starts to bubble quickly or splatter out of the skillet, turn the heat down just a bit.
    Keep an eye on the chicken to see if it’s turning a dark brown color (rather than a golden color) or cooking too quickly. If so, turn the heat down just a bit.
  • Continue to let the chicken cook until all sides are a medium to dark golden color and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
    As the pieces of chicken are done cooking (about 30 to 40 minutes), remove them from the skillet and lay them on top of the cooling rack (that is laying on a large plate).
    The larger pieces of chicken like the breasts may take the longest time to cook.
  • Serve warm or cold right out of the fridge.
    Delicious served warm with mashed potatoes and gravy, or cold for lunch, or as a late-night snack.

Video

Notes

TIPS:

  1. The amount of cook time may vary depending on the size of skillet used and number of batches.
  2. The crispy crumbles left in the bottom of the pan make the most delicious gravy. 
  3. This recipe post entitled "Fried Chicken and Bacon Gravy Sliders" shows how to make the gravy after frying the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

This fried chicken tastes wonderful served with vegetables and potatoes and, or macaroni and cheese.

Recipe for Making Gravy from Fried Chicken Drippings

Here’s a recipe showing how to make the gravy…”Fried Chicken and Bacon Gravy Sliders“, it’s really good even without the bacon.

Mashed Potato Recipes

And here are some mashed potato recipes “Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Mashed Potatoes” and “Smoked Gouda and Garlic Mashed Potatoes“.

Comfort Food Recipes

Comfort Food Recipes you may like:

Candied Yams (Sweet Potatoes) with Pecans and Marshmallows

Candied Sweet Potatoes (Canned Yams), with Walnuts and Marshmallows

Baked Herb and Parmesan Potato Slices

Biscoff Cookie Butter Blondie Brownies

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Easy Skillet Smoked Sausage with Caramelized Barbecue Sauce