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Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this Cast Iron Buttermilk Fried Chicken is the ultimate comfort food youโ€™ve been craving. The buttermilk marinade ensures tender meat, while the cast iron gives it that perfect golden-brown crunch.

Several pieces of fried chicken on a white plate.

Growing up, fried chicken was far from a staple. In fact, my only memories of indulging in such tastiness were once a year during our annual family reunion.

Since then, fried chicken has only been a memory for me; I mean real fried chicken; thighs, drumsticks, and wings.

We are talking a thick, golden, crispy breading, rich, juicy chicken, the lingering flavorsโ€ฆok, I need to take a break and make some more fried chicken.

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Give making buttermilk fried chicken in cast iron a shot; you wonโ€™t be disappointed. Or, if you prefer pork, give these Spicy Southern Fried Pork Chops a go!

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Thick, golden crispy breading and rich, juicy chicken. What’s not to love?
  • Frying chicken at home is way easier than people think and tastes WAY better than anything you can buy!
  • Cast irons are great for frying since they hold their heat much better than others, such as aluminum and stainless steel skillets and pots.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients needed for the fried chicken in individual bowls with text labels.
  • Chicken thighs or drumsticks:
  • Buttermilk: Storebought or homemade will work.
    • For Homemade Buttermilk: Just add 1 tbsp lemon juice to 1 cup of milk.
  • Hot sauce: It will be a very subtle flavor so feel free to experiment with different sauces!
  • Oil: I like to use peanut oil, but any high-smoke point frying oil will do.
  • Salt and pepper: Flaky sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper make a huge difference.

Cast Iron Fried Chicken Recipe

Get that cast iron skillet piping hot before adding in any chicken. I was able to fry my chicken using just a cup of oil. Honestly, you could probably get away with using even less.

Buttermilk and hot sauce mixture in a bowl with a whisk.

Step 1: In one bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce.

Raw chicken drumsticks being placed in a buttermilk and hot sauce mixture.

Step 2: Ideally, soak the chicken in the liquid for one hour ahead of time. You can skip the soak and just run the chicken through the buttermilk right before dredging through the flour to save time if needed.

Dry breading mixture in a bowl ready to be used for cast iron fried chicken.

Step 3: In a second bowl, mix the flour with your choice of spices (or use the ones I have recommended).

Chicken drumstick being dredged in a flour mixture before frying.

Step 4: Dredge the chicken through the flour, and carefully place it into the skillet. Be careful, as it will sizzle, and the oil may splatter.

Chicken drumsticks frying in a cast iron skillet.

Step 5: Use tongs to rotate the chicken once a brown crust develops, and continue to rotate so it cooks evenly. Cook until the internal temperature has reached 165ยฐF. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Very crispy pieces of chicken piled high on a white plate.

Expert Tips

  • Preheat. A piping hot skillet with piping hot oil is critical to the crispinessโ€™s success!
  • Don’t dry the chicken before breading it. That way, the breading will stick to the chicken while we fry it.
  • Donโ€™t overcoat the breading. Perhaps this sounds counterintuitive, but trust me, itโ€™s for the best.
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet. Too much chicken added at one time can lower the temp of the oil, crushing our chances for a crispy exterior.
  • Want it extra crispy? Try adding a touch of baking soda or cornstarch to the breading for extra, crispy chicken. (or breadcrumbs, as I use in my fried meatball recipe) I like to keep it simple and donโ€™t do a lot to make the breading extra crispy, but that is just me.
  • Try double-frying the chicken. Iโ€™ve done it before and love the way they turn out. But I donโ€™t like the extra time it takes to make it that way.
  • Try different cuts of chicken. You can fry any chicken this way, just adjust cook times accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does chicken take to fry in a cast iron skillet?

Fry chicken legs for about 8-10 minutes per side. Fry chicken thighs for 10-12 minutes per side. And always check the internal temperature with an instant thermometer before consuming.

Why is buttermilk used in fried chicken?

Buttermilk is used in fried chicken for several reasons. It helps tenderize the chicken, resulting in a moist and juicy texture. It also imparts a subtle tangy flavor and helps the coating adhere to the chicken, creating a crispy crust.

What oil is best for frying cast iron chicken?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, are the most popular frying oils. These oils can withstand high heat without burning, ensuring a crispy exterior and properly cooked chicken.

Should I fry chicken in a cast iron skillet?

While frying chicken in a cast iron skillet may not be the most popular choice, it is a good option because of its ability to distribute heat evenly. Just make sure to monitor the temperature and adjust accordingly for consistent and delicious results.

How do I tell when buttermilk fried chicken is cooked through?

The chicken is done when the internal temperature has reached 165ยฐF, and the meat is no longer pink. Use an instant thermometer on the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone.

Can I reheat cast iron fried chicken?

Yes. For the best results, spread them out in a cast iron skillet and heat up in a 350ยฐF oven until warmed through.

Fresh Cast Iron Buttermilk Fried Chicken drumsticks on a white plate.

Related Recipes

After you try this recipe, check out some of my other favorites.

Cast irons are great for all types of stovetop recipes, from homemade meatballs and venison medallions to smothered pork steaks and our favorite pan-fried pork steak recipe!

If you tried this Cast Iron Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Fresh Cast Iron Buttermilk Fried Chicken drumsticks on a plate.

Cast Iron Fried Chicken

Laura Ascher
This crispy cast iron fried chicken recipe is such a delicious meal to make any night of the week! It's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
4.63 from 16 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 21 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 534 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken drumsticks See notes below.
  • 1 cup peanut oil Or your preferred frying oil
  • 3 cups buttermilk See notes below.
  • 1/2 cup Louisiana hot sauce Or your favorite hot sauce
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a small mixing bowl. Soak chicken in the mixture for at least 1 hr in the fridge.
  • Heat the oil on the stovetop in a 12" cast iron skillet to 350ยฐF
  • In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.
  • Dredge the chicken in the dry ingredients, and shake off any excess flour.
  • Carefully place the chicken in the skillet. It will sizzle and may splatter hot oil, so be careful.
  • Use tongs to rotate the chicken once a brown crust develops, and continue to rotate so it cooksย evenly.ย Allow to cook for 8-10 minutes on each side for drumsticks and 10-12 minutes per side for the thighs. Use an instant thermometer to ensure the meat is fully cooked through.

Notes

  • You can make this recipe with chicken thighs, tenders, or chicken breasts. You will need to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
  • Chicken is ready when an internal temperature of 165ยฐF has been reached, and the meat is no longer pink.
  • You can skip the one-hour marinade and just run the chicken through the buttermilk right before dredging through the flour to save time if needed.
  • To make buttermilk:ย Combine 1 tbsp of lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Stir well and let it sit for 5 minutes.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 20gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1443mgPotassium: 366mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 439IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 2mg
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This website provides approximate nutrition information based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. We recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer.

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4.63 from 16 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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