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)

Crispy 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 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!! This was some of the best fried chicken because it was so simple. 

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.

Serving Suggestions

If you are looking for a way to enjoy the fried chicken other than with gravy, try one of these:

  • Cover with hot sauce and dip in ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
  • Make a flour mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder for extra flavor
  • Serve with a side of green beans, collard greens, or mashed potatoes smothered with gravy
  • A potato salad is a great appetizer with this Southern fried chicken recipe

Southern Fried Chicken Step by Step

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups vegetable oil or canola oil (depending on size of pan and chicken)

Gravy

  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Preparation

Chicken

In a deep skillet or frying pan, 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 until the oil temperature is 350 degrees F. 

While the oil heats, salt and pepper each piece of 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 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 hot 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 and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-red meat thermometer. Remove the chicken pieces from the pan and place them on a wire rack with paper towels underneath to catch the excess oil and avoid soggy chicken. 

Browned chicken drumsticks frying in a skillet with oil

Gravy

While the chicken rests, 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 to 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)

Southern Fried Chicken Leftovers

Storage: The best way to store leftover fried chicken with gravy is in two separate airtight containers. Keep the chicken in one airtight container and the gravy in another. They can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.

Reheating: This chicken is really good cold the next day. But if you want to reheat it, for best results cook it in an oven at 350F for about 10-12 minutes, until warmed through. The gravy can be reheated in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.

Recipe

Originally Published On: January 19, 2019

Last Updated On: May 26, 2024

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 black 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 black 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.

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29 thoughts on “Crispy 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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