Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

Featured in: Quick Comfort Meals

This dish combines crispy, well-seasoned chicken marinated in tangy buttermilk and hot sauce with tender, flaky buttermilk biscuits. The chicken is dredged in a spiced flour mix and fried to golden perfection, while the biscuits provide a buttery, soft complement. Ideal for family dinners or get-togethers, it delivers a comforting Southern experience rich in flavor and texture.

Updated on Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:39:00 GMT
Crispy Southern fried chicken with buttery biscuits served on a rustic platter.  Save
Crispy Southern fried chicken with buttery biscuits served on a rustic platter. | freshyforks.com

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

This dish brings back warm memories of family dinners and Southern hospitality at its best.

Ingredients

  • Fried Chicken: 8 pieces chicken (drumsticks and thighs, skin-on, bone-in), 2 cups buttermilk, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, vegetable oil for frying
  • Buttermilk Biscuits: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter cubed, 3/4 cup cold buttermilk (plus more for brushing)

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 3–4 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.
Golden, juicy Southern fried chicken alongside freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.  Save
Golden, juicy Southern fried chicken alongside freshly baked buttermilk biscuits. | freshyforks.com

Family dinners are always better when this meal is on the table, creating smiles and full plates.

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 may contain traces of egg if biscuits are brushed with egg wash. Contains chicken. Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

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

Fluffy buttermilk biscuits complementing mouthwatering crispy fried chicken on a plate. Save
Fluffy buttermilk biscuits complementing mouthwatering crispy fried chicken on a plate. | freshyforks.com

Enjoy your homemade Southern fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits with loved ones for a truly comforting meal.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What gives the chicken its crispiness?

The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated with a seasoned flour mixture before frying in hot oil, which creates a crispy crust.

How can I make the biscuits more flaky?

Using cold, cubed butter and gently folding the dough multiple times helps create tender, flaky layers in the biscuits.

What oil is best for frying the chicken?

Vegetable oil or another oil with a high smoke point works well to ensure the chicken fries evenly without burning.

Can I prepare the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, marinating the chicken for at least two hours or overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) and have a golden brown crust when fried.

Southern Fried Chicken Biscuits

Crispy fried chicken and fluffy buttermilk biscuits offering classic Southern flavors for gatherings.

Prep time
30 minutes
Time to cook
35 minutes
Time required
65 minutes
Recipe by Freshyforks Lena Brooks


Skill level Medium

Cuisine American (Southern)

Portions 4 Number of servings

Diet Details 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

Directions

Step 01

Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge chicken pieces completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Step 02

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

Step 03

Incorporate Butter into Biscuit Dough: Cut cold butter into dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 04

Add Buttermilk and Form Dough: Pour in cold buttermilk and stir gently until just combined without overmixing.

Step 05

Shape and Cut Biscuits: Transfer dough to a floured surface. Pat to 1-inch thickness, then fold in half and pat down. Repeat folding 3–4 times. Cut biscuits with a 2.5-inch cutter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush tops with buttermilk.

Step 06

Bake Biscuits: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and puffed.

Step 07

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

Step 08

Heat Frying Oil: Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy skillet and heat to 350°F, maintaining temperature for consistent frying.

Step 09

Dredge and Fry Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge pieces thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes or until crust is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a wire rack.

Step 10

Serve: Present fried chicken immediately alongside freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.

Tools Needed

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

Allergy info

Review ingredients for allergens. Reach out to medical experts if you're not sure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and dairy; may contain egg if biscuits are brushed with egg wash.
  • Contains chicken.

Nutritional breakdown (each serving)

This nutritional data guides only—don't treat as medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 850
  • Lipids: 47 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 62 grams
  • Proteins: 45 grams