Southern Fried Chicken Buttermilk Biscuit

Featured in: Main Dishes

Enjoy crunchy, deep-fried chicken cooked to golden perfection, paired with airy buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven. Marinating the chicken in tangy buttermilk with a touch of hot sauce keeps it juicy, while a seasoned flour coating adds a flavorful bite. Biscuits boast flaky layers and a buttery finish. Bake until golden, fry the chicken in batches, then serve together for a comforting Southern spread. Lovely additions like honey drizzle or homemade slaw round out this crowd-pleasing main dish.

Updated on Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:29:00 GMT
Crispy Southern Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Biscuits, a perfect comfort food feast.  Save
Crispy Southern Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Biscuits, a perfect comfort food feast. | cheerfulchefs.com

Crispy, juicy fried chicken paired with fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuits&a classic Southern comfort meal perfect for gatherings and family dinners.

I first experienced the magic of Southern fried chicken at a small roadside diner in Georgia, and it&s now a family favorite on weekends.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 8 pieces (drumsticks and thighs, skin-on, bone-in)
  • Buttermilk: 2 cups
  • Hot sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • All-purpose flour (for chicken): 2 cups
  • Paprika: 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Onion powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Cayenne pepper: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 2 teaspoons, plus 1 teaspoon for biscuits
  • Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
  • Vegetable oil (for frying): As needed
  • All-purpose flour (for biscuits): 2 cups
  • Baking powder: 1 tablespoon
  • Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Sugar: 1 tablespoon
  • Cold unsalted butter, cubed: 1/2 cup (115 g)
  • Cold buttermilk (for biscuits): 3/4 cup, plus more for brushing

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces, coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in cold buttermilk and mix until just combined.
Shape and Bake Biscuits:
Turn dough onto a floured surface, pat to 1-inch thickness. Fold and pat dough 3 times, then cut using a 2.5-inch cutter. Arrange on baking sheet lined with parchment. Brush tops with buttermilk. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Prepare the Chicken Coating:
Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
Dredge and Fry Chicken:
Heat 2 inches of oil to 175°C (350°F) in a heavy skillet. Remove chicken from marinade and remove excess. Coat in seasoned flour, pressing well. Fry in batches, turning, for 12–15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on wire rack.
Serve:
Serve hot fried chicken with fresh buttermilk biscuits.
Golden fried chicken resting beside fluffy buttermilk biscuits—an iconic Southern dish.  Save
Golden fried chicken resting beside fluffy buttermilk biscuits—an iconic Southern dish. | cheerfulchefs.com

Every Sunday, my family gathers in the kitchen to help with biscuit cutting—it&s become our special tradition and everyone&s favorite comfort meal.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, pastry cutter or forks, biscuit cutter, baking sheet, parchment paper, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, wire rack, tongs, kitchen thermometer.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, chicken, and may contain egg if biscuits are brushed with egg wash. Always check labels for allergen info.

Nutritional Information

Each serving provides approximately 850 calories, 47 g total fat, 62 g carbohydrates, and 45 g protein.

Juicy Southern Fried Chicken served with buttery, warm buttermilk biscuits for a hearty meal. Save
Juicy Southern Fried Chicken served with buttery, warm buttermilk biscuits for a hearty meal. | cheerfulchefs.com

Serve this dish hot and fresh for the ultimate Southern comfort experience. Every bite is homey and satisfying.

Recipe FAQs

How do you ensure crispy fried chicken?

Double-dipping chicken in buttermilk and seasoned flour helps create an extra-crisp coating when frying.

What's the ideal chicken cut for frying?

Bone-in, skin-on drumsticks and thighs offer juicy meat and flavorful crust for Southern-style frying.

How do you make fluffy biscuits?

Use cold, cubed butter and a light touch when mixing and folding biscuit dough to preserve airy layers and tenderness.

What side dishes pair well?

Coleslaw, pickles, and a drizzle of honey or hot honey over biscuits complement the meal's flavors and textures.

What oil is best for frying chicken?

Vegetable oil, such as canola or peanut, offers a steady frying temperature and neutral flavor for crispy chicken.

How do you check chicken doneness?

Use a kitchen thermometer; chicken is safely cooked when its internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

Southern Fried Chicken Buttermilk Biscuit

Crispy chicken and buttery biscuits offer comforting flavors fit for sharing at family meals.

Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Overall Time
65 minutes
Creator Ruby Smiles

Recipe Type Main Dishes

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Background American (Southern)

Portions 4 Serves

Dietary Preferences None specified

What You’ll Need

Fried Chicken

01 8 pieces chicken, drumsticks and thighs, skin-on, bone-in
02 2 cups buttermilk
03 1 tablespoon hot sauce
04 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 1 tablespoon paprika
06 2 teaspoons garlic powder
07 2 teaspoons onion powder
08 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 2 teaspoons salt
10 1 teaspoon black pepper
11 Vegetable oil, for frying

Buttermilk Biscuits

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tablespoon baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 1 teaspoon salt
05 1 tablespoon sugar
06 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
07 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
08 Extra buttermilk, for brushing

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Marinate Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge chicken pieces in the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.

Step 02

Prepare Biscuit Dough: Preheat oven to 425°F. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Using a pastry cutter or forks, cut in cold butter until the mixture has pea-sized crumbs. Stir in cold buttermilk just until the dough comes together.

Step 03

Shape and Bake Biscuits: Transfer dough to a floured surface. Pat to 1-inch thickness, then fold in half and flatten. Repeat folding 3 to 4 times. Using a 2.5-inch cutter, cut biscuits and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush biscuit tops with buttermilk. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown.

Step 04

Prepare Chicken Coating: In a wide shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.

Step 05

Dredge and Fry Chicken: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Lift chicken from marinade, letting excess drip away. Coat each piece thoroughly in seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. Fry chicken in batches, turning to cook evenly, for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a wire rack.

Step 06

Serve: Present fried chicken hot alongside fresh buttermilk biscuits.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Pastry cutter or forks
  • Biscuit cutter
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Heavy skillet or Dutch oven
  • Wire rack
  • Tongs
  • Kitchen thermometer

Potential Allergens

Inspect ingredients for specific allergens and contact a professional for concerns.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, and chicken.
  • Biscuits may contain traces of egg if egg wash is used.
  • Always verify packaged ingredients for allergen information.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

Provided as supportive info; always cross-check with your healthcare provider.
  • Calories: 850
  • Fats: 47 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 62 grams
  • Proteins: 45 grams