Delicious Southern-Fried Chicken Recipe with Cream Gravy
What comes to your mind when you hear the term Southern Fried Chicken? The crisp yet juicy texture that makes you want to keep coming back for more? The savory seasoning that has just the right amount of kick to it, leaving you savoring every bite? Or perhaps the creamy, indulgent goodness of the cream gravy that adds an extra layer of flavor to every bite? Southern Fried Chicken is a dish that has stood the test of time and remains a staple on tables all across America.
As a chef specializing in Southern-style cuisine, I have perfected my recipe for Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy. It’s a dish so tasty, it will take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. Every bite holds within it a combination of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. But why stop at dreaming about this dish when you can create your own culinary masterpiece in the comfort of your own home?
In this article, I’ll be sharing with you my recipe for Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy including detailed instructions, substitutions, serving suggestions and tips for perfect results. With a few simple steps, ingredients and some culinary prowess, you too can whip up this delightfully rich and savory dish that is perfect for any occasion. So roll up your sleeves, sharpen your knives and let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Y’all, let me tell you about my Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy recipe. You’re gonna love it because it’s a true taste of the South. This dish is all about comfort and flavor, bringing together crispy fried chicken and creamy gravy in perfect harmony.
First off, this recipe starts with seasoned flour – a mixture of all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning to give the chicken a flavorful crunchy coating. Then comes the star of the show, the chicken. We’re talkin’ juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs that will make your mouth water just thinking about them.
Next up is the frying process which ensures that your chicken will be crispy and golden brown. And don’t worry if you don’t have a deep-fryer because this recipe can be prepared either by pan frying or deep frying.
And we can’t forget about that creamy gravy! It’s made from heavy cream and half-and-half combined with those delicious leftover juices from the bottom of the pan after frying the chicken. The end result is a smooth and savory gravy that will take your breath away.
But best of all? This dish is versatile! You can serve it with mashed potatoes for a classic Southern meal or pair it with some breaded chicken cutlets or even cube steak for some extra variety.
So whether you’re looking for an indulgent comfort food meal or just want to impress your dinner guests with some authentic Southern cuisine – this recipe is one for the books. Trust me y’all, it’s finger-licking good!
Ingredient List
Let’s dive into the recipe ingredients you’ll need to create the ultimate Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy. This recipe serves six people, so stock up on these ingredients to make sure that everyone gets a taste of this finger-licking-good dish.
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts OR chicken thighs OR any chicken pieces you like
- Poultry seasoning (2 teaspoons)
- Salt (2 teaspoons)
- Pepper (1 teaspoon)
Seasoned Flour
- All-purpose flour (2 cups)
- Poultry seasoning (2 teaspoons)
- Salt (4 teaspoons)
- Pepper (1 teaspoon)
Cream Gravy
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup)
- Heavy cream (2 cups) OR equal parts of whole milk and half-and-half
- Chicken broth or water (2 cups)
- Salt and pepper for taste
Make sure you have these ingredients ready before getting started on this recipe. You may also want to get a calculator nearby because we will be doing some math here to adjust the measurements depending on the servings you need to cook.
The Recipe How-To
Let’s get down to business – the recipe how-to. This recipe is for Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy. Are you ready to create a delicious southern meal that will impress your family and friends? Follow these steps and you’ll have yourself a dish that will have people begging for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 2 cups buttermilk or half-and-half
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Step 1: Seasoning the chicken
Make sure your chicken is completely dry before seasoning it with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
Step 2: Prepping the flour
In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Step 3: Soaking the chicken
Soak the chicken in buttermilk/half-and-half mixture for at least an hour. This will help tenderize the meat and create a crispy crust.
Step 4: Coating the chicken
Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk mixture and dredge in the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated.
Step 5: Heat up the oil
Heat around 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil so that it comes halfway up the sides of the chicken pieces.
Step 6: Frying the chicken
Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to hot oil one at a time. Fry them until golden brown and crispy, about 6 minutes per side for thicker pieces or just until cooked through for thinly pounded cutlets.
Step 7: Making the cream gravy
While the chicken is frying, make the cream gravy. Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of pan drippings from the bottom of the skillet.
Whisk together 1/4 cup of flour in 1/2 cup half-and-half. Stir this mixture into the skillet over medium-high heat until thick and bubbly, scraping any browned bits up from the bottom of the skillet.
Step 8: Serving
Serve hot fried chicken with creamy gravy for a delicious Southern meal.
Enjoy your Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy and pop that champagne!
Substitutions and Variations
Fried chicken is a classic dish that has been loved for generations. It’s no wonder why there are so many variations and substitutions you can make while still sticking to the traditional southern-style cuisine. Here are some ideas to take your fried chicken recipe to the next level:
1. Chicken Cut: While chicken breasts may be the go-to option, using bone-in thighs or drumsticks will also produce amazing results. You may also use different cuts like chicken Maryland, chicken steak, or cube steak.
2. Seasoning: For a spicy kick, add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your seasoned flour mixture. If you want more depth of flavor, try adding paprika or garlic powder into your poultry seasoning mix.
3. Flour: Using a combination of flour and cornstarch will bring crunchiness and better coating for your fried chicken. Some people also swear by using buttermilk and seasoned bread crumbs in addition to flour for a tangier and more flavorful breading.
4. Pan Fried vs Deep Fried: Both methods will create wonderful fried chicken, but when pan-frying, turn up the heat for a crispy crust that still has tender meat inside.
5. Gravy Options: Instead of cream gravy, try a white gravy made from pan drippings mixed with milk and seasoned flour. Additionally, some people like to use KFC gravy mix or make their own milk gravy to complement their fried chicken.
6. Side Dishes: A juicy piece of fried chicken goes well with many sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, greens, mac n cheese and cornbread.
Whatever your variation and substitution choices are, remember that there’s always room for experimentation when creating southern-style dishes. Cook with passion and enjoy every single bite!
Serving and Pairing
Alright, folks, now that you’ve got your crispy Southern fried chicken with creamy gravy recipe down pat, let’s talk about how to serve and pair it up right.
My personal favorite way to serve southern fried chicken is with a side of mashed potatoes and some nice green beans. You could also make the ultimate Southern comfort food combo by serving it alongside a flaky biscuit and some good ol’ mac and cheese.
If you’re feeling fancy, turn this dish into chicken-fried steak. Breaded chicken cutlets served just like a steak, topped with that same cream gravy from the recipe you just nailed. Trust me on this one – it’s happiness on a plate.
For beverages, sweet tea or lemonade make for the perfect choice to balance out the richness of the chicken and gravy. If you prefer some adult beverages, a cold beer or bourbon might pair well with these flavors.
Now, if there’s any leftover ’cause as far as I’m concerned, it’s worth making more just for this reason – use those leftover juices at the bottom of the chicken fryers to whip up KFC-style gravy for a quick breakfast fix. Pour into individual ramekins or pour over some buttermilk biscuits for a morning extravaganza.
So there you have it – a cozy Southern-style dinner to be enjoyed hot and fresh out of your kitchenette oven.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Now, let’s talk about the practical aspect of this finger-lickin’ Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy recipe. You might want to prepare it ahead of time or have leftovers, so I’ve got your back on how to handle and enjoy these situations too.
First off, let’s talk about making ahead. While the best results come from freshly fried chicken and hot cream gravy mixed over it, you can make this recipe ahead of time and still get scrumptious chicken and creamy gravy when you’re ready to eat.
To make ahead, I recommend cooking the chicken until it’s passed the halfway point (when it turns golden brown) but not all the way through. Once cooked to this point, turn off the heat and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. This trick allows them to release some steam inside without becoming dry and hard before being reheated again.
To store leftover southern-style fried chicken with cream gravy, wrap each piece individually with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help prevent them from drying out or acquiring unpleasant odors from other items in the fridge.
When it comes to reheating fried chicken, I recommend using an oven rather than a microwave since microwaving tends to make the crust soggy. To reheat your delectable pieces of fried chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F, place your chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (not touching each other), and bake for 10-15 minutes until they are heated through and crispy on the outside once again.
The same goes for reheating cream gravy, simply pour it into a saucepan or skillet with a little bit of water (or milk if preferred), whisk gently until heated through and smooth once again.
Here’s my final tip: if you find yourself with leftover juices at the bottom of your chicken fryers, don’t toss them out! You can use these juices to make a KFC-style gravy by combining them with your preferred recipe’s ingredients. This way, you take full advantage of this Southern fried chicken recipe, minimizing waste and elevating flavors.
Tips for Perfect Results
If you’re looking to cook the ultimate Southern Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips that can help ensure your fried chicken comes out crispy and juicy, and your cream gravy is smooth and delicious.
First things first, make sure you get the right chicken pieces. While breasts may be popular, you may want to experiment with other cuts such as thighs, drumsticks or wings. These parts offer more flavor and cook more evenly than chicken breasts which are prone to drying out.
When it comes to seasoning the flour dredge for your chicken, it might be tempting to go overboard with spices, but less is more. A mixture of all-purpose flour with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper will suffice.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. This ensures that every piece of chicken is correctly heated through giving a nice crust. Overcrowding the pan causes the chicken’s juices to boil instead and will create a semi-steamed effect, resulting in soggy skin.
A common mistake that people make when making cream gravy is that they mix in all of the liquid ingredients into the roux right away. This dilutes it! What you should do instead is slowly add your liquid while whisking continuously until you get a smooth consistency.
My last tip concerns making cream gravy with leftover juices from frying chicken. Despite having extra grease from deep-frying southern fried chicken, never directly use it for making cream gravy! Instead, skim off the fat after cooking while retaining a little bit at the bottom and using that one together with half-and-half or milk for the creamiest gravy.
By following these tips I believe you’ll have an easier time perfecting this Southern classic which will no doubt become one of your family favorites just like mine!
FAQ
Before we dive into the FAQ section, let’s quickly revisit the main factors that contribute to making this southern-style recipe standout. With flour, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning being the primary elements in our seasoned flour mixture, they fill the chicken with savory flavor notes that will keep your taste buds coming back for more. Paired with a cream gravy that combines half-and-half and heavy cream, this recipe is a guaranteed way to satisfy any craving for crispy chicken and creamy gravy. Now, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions to ensure you get perfect results every time.
What’s KFC gravy made of?
In this recipe, I have a secret ingredient for making a delicious dressing – crackling. It’s made from the leftover juices and chicken scraps from the fryers. The process of making the gravy involves combining two scoops of crackling with 3.5 liters of water. Trust me, this dressing is finger-licking good!
Can you use heavy cream instead of buttermilk for fried chicken?
You can try a unique twist on buttermilk for your fried chicken by using a combination of heavy cream and citrus. To do this, grab a large pan, mix together ¾ cup of heavy cream with ¼ cup of water to dilute the combination. Lastly, mix in a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice to complete the alternative.
How do they make the KFC gravy?
As I prepare to create my signature southern-style sauce, I remember the advice of my colleague Anne Walker. She taught me to use the juices left at the bottom of the chicken fryers, commonly known as crackling, to make the sauce. According to Anne’s recipe, I should combine the crackling with three and a half liters of cold water. Now, I am ready to get to work.
What’s the difference between Southern fried chicken and fried chicken?
Southern-style fried chicken is a mouth-watering dish made by coating chicken in a seasoned flour or batter and frying it until it has a golden, crisp coating. This cooking technique not only gives the chicken a crunchy crust but also locks in its natural juices, making it incredibly tender and flavorful.
Bottom Line
Now that you’ve learned the ins and outs of this southern fried chicken recipe with cream gravy, it’s up to you to give it a try. With its crispy, breaded exterior and tender, juicy interior, this dish is sure to satisfy. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply indulging in your favorite comfort food at home, this recipe won’t disappoint.
But remember, the key to perfect results is to follow the instructions closely and use the right ingredients. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations and substitutions to make it your own.
So what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready to enjoy some truly delicious southern-style cuisine. Once you’ve tasted your masterpiece, don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Southern Fried Chicken W/Cream Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 chicken, cut up into separate pieces (about 3 lbs.)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 cup light cream or 1/2 cup half-and-half
- vegetable oil
For Cream Gravy
- 2 tablespoons reserved fat, from skillet
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup light cream
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry chicken pieces; shake in a bag with flour, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
- Dip coated pieces in cream in pie plate; then dip in remaining flour mixture again to coat evenly.
- Pour enough oil into a large skillet to make a depth of 1".
- Heat over moderate heat to 375 degrees on deep-fat frying thermometer (if you have one).
- If not, just test heat by sprinkling a drop of water into grease, if it pops, it's ready enough.
- (Stand back, so you don't get splattered).
- Add chicken, skin side down.
- When underside of chicken starts to brown, lower heat and partially cover skillet with lid.
- Turn chicken pieces after 15 minutes.
- Continue cooking second side, uncovered, until browned and chicken is tender, 10 minutes longer.
- Drain on paper toweling, keep warm.
- Serve with Cream Gravy, if you wish.
- For Cream Gravy: Pour off fat from skillet, leaving brown bits; return 2 tablespoons fat to pan.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons flour; heat until light brown.
- Remove from heat; gradually stir in 1 cup light cream.
- Return to heat; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
- If too thick, add more cream.
- Taste; add salt and pepper as needed.
- Makes about 1-1/4 cups.