Southern fried chicken drumsticks in a round white bowl next to a smaller round white bowl with gravy on a grey placemat on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy Sauce

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Southern Fried Chicken is a must when growing up in the south. This recipe is really easy to make with delicious results!

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Growing up in the South, fried chicken is a must. But until recently, I never knew how to make it myself. I try not to eat too many fried foods, but I couldn’t pass this up. Justin’s grandma makes her own fried chicken recipe, and it’s super simple but delicious!

When she made it for us a couple of months ago, I was amazed at how easy it can be to make southern fried chicken. I’m sure this is one of those foods that has a hundred ways to make it, too. So this recipe is a family recipe. Don’t worry, I’ve gotten permission to share. When she makes the chicken, she also uses the leftover oil to make a gravy, so I’ve included that in this recipe.

We made it for dinner earlier this week, and both the boys actually ate it! I typically think of comfort foods when I think of fried chicken, so we made it with some mashed potatoes and biscuits…. all things that you can slather with the gravy sauce!! 

I have made this with a split chicken breast, regular chicken breast, and drumsticks. It works for any part of the chicken. I prefer white meat, so I like using chicken breasts. Justin prefers dark meat, so drumsticks were his idea. The boys haven’t noticed a difference, so they will eat either.

Step by Step

Chicken

In a large skillet, pour enough oil to cover about 1/3 of a large skillet. I find I usually need about 1-2 cups of oil. Set the heat to medium-high.

Salt and pepper the chicken on all sides.

Chicken drumsticks covered with salt and pepper on a round white plate on a wooden surface

Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl. Coat the chicken in flour.

Chicken drumsticks covered in flour in a stainless steel bowl on a wooden surface

Place the chicken in the oil, cover the pan, and cook it for about 15-20 minutes. By this time, the chicken should be golden brown on the bottom.

Flour-covered chicken drumsticks frying in oil in a large skillet

Flip the chicken and cook, covered, for another 15-20 minutes. Make sure the bottom is also golden brown.

Browned chicken drumsticks frying in a skillet with oil

Gravy

Carefully scoop 1/4 cup of the oil from the pan with the chicken and place it in a medium saucepan. Heat the pan over medium heat. Add the flour, milk, and pepper for the gravy. Whisk until it’s combined and there are no more lumps.

Gravy in a medium saucepan on a wooden surface

Serve the chicken with the gravy.

Southern fried chicken drumsticks in a round white bowl next to a smaller round white bowl with gravy on a grey placemat on a wooden surface (vertical)

Recipe

Originally Published On: January 19, 2019

Last Updated On: February 20, 2020

Southern fried chicken drumsticks in a round white bowl next to a smaller round white bowl with gravy on a grey placemat on a wooden surface

Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy Sauce

Southern Fried Chicken is a must when growing up in the south. This recipe is really easy to make with delicious results!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
chicken
|
fried
|
gravy
Servings: 5
5 from 8 votes

Ingredients

Chicken
  • 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups oil (depending on size of pan and chicken)
Gravy
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp pepper

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

Chicken
  • In a large skillet, pour enough oil to cover about 1/3 of a large skillet over medium-high heat
  • Salt and pepper the chicken on all sides
  • Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl
  • Coat the chicken in flour until it is well covered
  • Place the chicken in the oil, cover the pan, and cook it for about 15-20 minutes
  • Flip the chicken and cook, covered, for another 15-20 minutes
Gravy
  • Carefully scoop 1/4 cup of the oil from the pan with the chicken and place it in a medium saucepan
  • Heat the pan over medium heat
  • Add the flour, milk, and pepper for the gravy, whisking until it’s combined and there are no more lumps
  • Serve the chicken with the gravy

Notes

Nutrition facts calculated assuming 10% oil absorption
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Nutrition Facts
Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy Sauce
Amount Per Serving (0.5 lb)
Calories 569 Calories from Fat 360
% Daily Value*
Fat 40g62%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 150mg50%
Sodium 666mg28%
Potassium 481mg14%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 228IU5%
Calcium 125mg13%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

29 thoughts on “Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy Sauce”

  1. Pingback: “Southern Fried” style Chicken. Gluten, Dairy and Soya Free!  – The Budget Allergy Kitchen

  7. Jack branson

    I think no one can passs on that haha. It seems delicious. I’ve had fried food before and this would be good opportunity to try something different, thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  14. aisasami

    5 stars
    I miss eating Southern fried chicken. Maybe because I don’t eat a lot of KFC here (which is the closest thing to American fried chicken but not southern fried chicken). We have fried chicken here in Japan but it is different (and Nagoya has a different kick of chicken drumstick called tebasaki which is a miso-based paste). I try to make these southern fried chicken drumsticks!

    Reply

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