Crispy Cold Fried Chicken Recipe Perfect for Easy Picnic Baskets
A crispy fried chicken recipe that stays crunchy and juicy even when eaten cold, perfect for picnics and outdoor meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: Overnight marinating plus 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 4 cups)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper, cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
- Mix the coating by combining all-purpose flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
- Beat the eggs in a shallow dish to prepare the egg wash.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dip each piece into the egg wash, then dredge in the flour mixture. Repeat the egg wash and flour coating for double dredging.
- Fry chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to keep it crispy. Let cool completely before packing.
- Pack cooled chicken in a picnic basket layered with parchment paper. Serve cold without reheating.
Notes
Use skin-on chicken for best crispiness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfect frying. Double dredging helps keep the crust crunchy even when cold. Cool chicken completely before packing to avoid sogginess. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend but expect a less crispy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One medium piece of
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 25
Keywords: fried chicken, cold fried chicken, picnic chicken, crispy chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, easy fried chicken, outdoor meal, picnic recipe