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Southern-Style Fried Chicken Strips

  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 45 minutes

Description

Southern-Style Fried Chicken Strips are crispy, golden-brown, and packed with flavor. These tender chicken strips are coated in a seasoned flour mixture, often including ingredients like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper, giving them a savory kick. The chicken is then deep-fried to perfection, creating a crunchy, irresistible exterior that contrasts beautifully with the juicy and tender meat inside. Often served with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or spicy hot sauce, these chicken strips offer a satisfying, Southern-inspired comfort food experience. Perfect for a meal on their own or as part of a larger spread!

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these Southern-Style Fried Chicken Strips:

For the Chicken Strips:

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken breast (about 4 breasts), cut into strips
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Breading:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder (for extra crispiness)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

For Dipping (Optional):

  • Honey mustard sauce
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Ranch dressing

Ingredient Highlights

  • Chicken Breasts: Chicken breast is tender and easy to work with for making chicken strips, and it’s a great choice for a lean protein.
  • Buttermilk: The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken while adding a tangy flavor. It also helps the breading stick.
  • Paprika: Both the smoked and regular paprika add a smoky depth of flavor and a beautiful color to the crust.
  • Cayenne Pepper: For those who like a little kick, cayenne pepper adds spice without overpowering the flavors.
  • Flour: The seasoned flour coating provides the crispy texture that makes fried chicken so irresistible.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to make the best Southern-Style Fried Chicken Strips:

Prepare the Chicken Strips:

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken strips, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. This step helps tenderize the chicken and infuses it with flavor.

Prepare the Breading:

  1. Mix the Breading: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, baking powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
  2. Coat the Chicken: Remove the marinated chicken strips from the buttermilk mixture. Allow excess liquid to drip off, then dredge each strip into the flour mixture, pressing down gently to ensure the coating sticks. For an extra crispy coating, dip the coated chicken back into the buttermilk and then again into the flour mixture for a double coating.

Fry the Chicken:

  1. Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or Dutch oven until it reaches about 2 inches up the side of the pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of the flour mixture into the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface.
  2. Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken strips into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken strips for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C).
  3. Drain the Chicken: Once the chicken strips are cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Serve the Chicken Strips:

  1. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Southern-Style Fried Chicken Strips hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4-6
  • Calories: 400-450 calories
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Protein: 35g

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Find it online: https://epicuremeals.com/southern-style-fried-chicken-strips/