Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

Featured in: Hearty Comfort Dinners

This dish features crispy, juicy chicken marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated in a spiced flour mixture and fried to golden perfection. Served alongside flaky, buttery buttermilk biscuits baked until golden, this Southern-style combination is perfect for gathering with family or friends. The marinating process tenderizes the chicken while the coating ensures a crisp crust. Biscuits create a soft, flavorful contrast to the savory chicken, rounding out a hearty meal that balances bold seasonings with comforting textures.

Updated on Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:29:55 GMT
Golden-brown, crispy Southern Fried Chicken alongside warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits ready to be enjoyed. Save
Golden-brown, crispy Southern Fried Chicken alongside warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits ready to be enjoyed. | smokyfeast.com

Crispy, juicy fried chicken paired with fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuits—a classic Southern comfort meal perfect for gatherings and family dinners.

This recipe often reminds me of weekends at my grandmother's house, where the scent of freshly fried chicken and warm biscuits would fill the kitchen and bring everyone together for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

  • Chicken (drumsticks and thighs, skin-on, bone-in): 8 pieces
  • Buttermilk: 2 cups
  • Hot sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • All-purpose flour (for chicken): 2 cups
  • Paprika: 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Onion powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Cayenne pepper: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt (for chicken): 2 teaspoons
  • Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
  • Vegetable oil: For frying
  • All-purpose flour (for biscuits): 2 cups
  • Baking powder: 1 tablespoon
  • Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt (for biscuits): 1 teaspoon
  • Sugar: 1 tablespoon
  • Cold unsalted butter, cubed: 1/2 cup (115 g)
  • Cold buttermilk (plus more for brushing): 3/4 cup

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight preferred).
Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold buttermilk and mix until just combined.
Shape and Bake Biscuits:
Turn dough onto a floured surface, gently pat to 1-inch thickness. Fold dough in half and pat down; repeat 3 times. Cut biscuits with a 2.5-inch cutter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with buttermilk. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Prepare the Chicken Coating:
In a shallow dish, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Dredge and Fry Chicken:
Heat 2 inches of oil to 175°C (350°F) in a heavy skillet. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. Fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F). Drain on a wire rack.
Serve:
Serve fried chicken hot with fresh buttermilk biscuits.
Imagine seeing a platter of juicy Southern Fried Chicken and perfect, buttery buttermilk biscuits, a delicious meal. Save
Imagine seeing a platter of juicy Southern Fried Chicken and perfect, buttery buttermilk biscuits, a delicious meal. | smokyfeast.com
Imagine seeing a platter of juicy Southern Fried Chicken and perfect, buttery buttermilk biscuits, a delicious meal. Save
Imagine seeing a platter of juicy Southern Fried Chicken and perfect, buttery buttermilk biscuits, a delicious meal. | smokyfeast.com

Sharing this chicken and biscuit meal brings back memories of our Sunday suppers, with everyone gathered for good food and laughter at the table.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, pastry cutter (or forks), biscuit cutter, baking sheet, parchment paper, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, wire rack, tongs, kitchen thermometer

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, and chicken. May contain traces of egg if biscuits are brushed with egg wash. Check all ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 850, Total Fat 47 g, Carbohydrates 62 g, Protein 45 g

A close-up view of Southern Fried Chicken with flaky buttermilk biscuits, a Southern comfort food classic. Save
A close-up view of Southern Fried Chicken with flaky buttermilk biscuits, a Southern comfort food classic. | smokyfeast.com
A close-up view of Southern Fried Chicken with flaky buttermilk biscuits, a Southern comfort food classic. Save
A close-up view of Southern Fried Chicken with flaky buttermilk biscuits, a Southern comfort food classic. | smokyfeast.com

This Southern combo is sure to please your family and guests—serve while hot for best flavor and texture!

Kitchen Questions

How do I achieve extra crispy chicken?

For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken by coating it in the buttermilk marinade and flour mixture twice before frying.

Can I prepare the chicken marinade ahead of time?

Yes, marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness, though a minimum of 2 hours is recommended.

What temperature should the oil be for frying?

Heat the oil to about 175°C (350°F) to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and develops a golden crust.

How can I keep the biscuits soft and flaky?

Use cold butter cut into the flour and avoid overmixing the dough. Also, brushing tops with buttermilk before baking helps achieve a tender texture.

What sides pair well with this meal?

Classic sides like coleslaw, pickles, or a drizzle of hot honey complement the crispy chicken and buttery biscuits beautifully.

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Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

Crispy fried chicken paired with fluffy, buttery buttermilk biscuits for a comforting meal.

Prep duration
30 min
Heat time
35 min
Complete duration
65 min
Created by Jackson Reed


Skill Level Medium

Heritage American (Southern)

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition Labels None specified

What You'll Need

Fried Chicken

01 8 pieces chicken drumsticks and thighs, skin-on, bone-in
02 2 cups buttermilk
03 1 tablespoon hot sauce
04 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 1 tablespoon paprika
06 2 teaspoons garlic powder
07 2 teaspoons onion powder
08 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 2 teaspoons salt
10 1 teaspoon black pepper
11 Vegetable oil, for frying

Buttermilk Biscuits

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tablespoon baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 1 teaspoon salt
05 1 tablespoon sugar
06 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
07 3/4 cup cold buttermilk plus additional for brushing

Method

Phase 01

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge chicken pieces ensuring even coating. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.

Phase 02

Preheat Oven and Mix Biscuit Dry Ingredients: Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.

Phase 03

Cut in Butter and Add Buttermilk: Incorporate cold butter into dry mixture using a pastry cutter or fingers until pea-sized crumbs form. Pour in cold buttermilk and stir until just combined.

Phase 04

Shape and Bake Biscuits: Transfer dough to a floured surface, gently pat to 1-inch thickness. Fold and pat dough 3 to 4 times. Cut into 2.5-inch rounds, place on parchment-lined baking sheet, brush tops with buttermilk, and bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Phase 05

Prepare Chicken Coating: Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.

Phase 06

Dredge and Fry Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F, maintaining 2-inch depth. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on wire rack.

Phase 07

Serve: Serve fried chicken hot accompanied by freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.

Kitchen Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Pastry cutter or forks
  • Biscuit cutter
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Heavy skillet or Dutch oven
  • Wire rack
  • Tongs
  • Kitchen thermometer

Allergy Details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy
  • Contains chicken
  • May contain traces of egg if biscuits are brushed with egg wash

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 850
  • Fats: 47 g
  • Carbohydrates: 62 g
  • Proteins: 45 g

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