CHEFS' RECIPES
Crunchy buttermilk fried chicken

Crunchy buttermilk fried chicken

“This is a chef’s version of KFC but so much better. The longer you can leave it to marinate, the better, but I’ve also done the quick 15-minute marinade – it stays so juicy, and the skin is a textural triumph.”

Serves 4

Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 40 mins (plus marinating)



1.5 kg   small chicken pieces, such as drumsticks and thighs, skin on
2 tbsp   sweet paprika
1 tbsp each   finely ground white and black pepper
500 ml   (2 cups) buttermilk
For deep-frying:   vegetable oil
500 gm   plain flour
80 gm   cornflour
350 gm   fine white breadcrumbs
To serve:   limes, halved


1 Place chicken in a non-reactive dish, season well with paprika, peppers and sea salt, add buttermilk, turn to coat, then marinate for at least 15 minutes, bringing chicken to room temperature.
2 Meanwhile, preheat oil in a deep-fryer or large deep-sided saucepan to 180C. Combine flours and breadcrumbs in a plastic bag, then drain chicken (discard marinade) and add to bag. Shake well to coat, stand for 5 minutes, then remove from bag, pressing in excess crumbs.
3 Deep-fry chicken in small batches to regulate the temperature of the oil until chicken is golden and cooked through (8-10 minutes for drumsticks, 10-12 minutes for thighs). Drain on absorbent paper, season with sea salt and serve with lime.

This recipe is from the February 2010 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

RECIPE Jordan Theodoros, Aquacaf PHOTOGRAPHY William Meppem STYLING Geraldine Munoz and Lisa Featherby


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