I was super excited for this #SundaySupper and to make Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken. I have never made fried chicken and thought it would be perfect of course for a picnic, which is today’s theme.
I knew exactly the kind of chicken I wanted to make. Super crispy double-dipped buttermilk fried chicken. The kind that you see everyone makes on TV and that makes you drool.
I looked quickly at a recipe from Epicurious and off I went to create our own. They brined their chicken but I didn’t have time for that nor did I want to. Nothing against brining as we do it a lot when Ken smokes his chicken or turkey.
I also wanted to do a whole chicken as I remember Ken was given a lesson on how to butcher one properly when he did a BBQ smoking class. So I watched him and learned. I knew that I wanted to dredge it in a spiced flour then buttermilk and then back in flour to get an amazing crust.
Ken set up the whole production in our garage. Great idea so that it didn’t stink up the house!! He then cooked this chicken to perfection for us. We succeeded in making a fabulous crunchy and still juicy chicken. I think anyone would be happy to have this in their picnic basket. Here is the chicken in our picnic basket. ENJOY!!!

Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken for #SundaySupper
A super crunchy and juicy chicken!
Ingredients
- I whole chicken, cut up into 10 pieces
- 3 cups flour
- 1 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. paprika
- 2 Tbsp. fine sea salt
- 2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 2 Tbsp. baking soda
- 2 cups buttermilk
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Have ready a cookie cooling rack on the baking sheet. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350F.
- Mix the flour, black pepper, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and baking soda together.
- Divide the flour into 2 bowls, 1/3, and 2/3. Pour the buttermilk into a third bowl. Dredge the chicken in the first bowl and shake off excess and place on the cooling rack.
- Dip the pieces in the buttermilk and then thoroughly into the second bowl of flour. Return them to the rack.
- Start to deep fry the pieces making sure not to overcrowd and cook for 12-15 min. until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to another rack or paper-lined plate to cool for 5-10 min. before serving.
- Recipe adapted from Epicurious
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 2006Total Fat: 105gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 64gCholesterol: 660mgSodium: 3420mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 211g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
To help you round out your picnic basket look at all the amazing recipes here!!
Salads and Slaws:
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad from Juanita’s Cocina
- Cold Pea Salad from Shockingly Delicious
- German Potato Salad from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Hawaiian Cole Slaw from Curious Cuisiniere
- Italian Chopped Salad from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Kale Pasta Salad from Hip Foodie Mom
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad) from From Fast Food to Fresh Food
- PA Dutch Pepper Cabbage from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pineapple Slaw from I Run For Wine
- Tortellini Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal
Sandwiches and Mains:
- Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich from Magnolia Days
- Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks from Soni’s Food
- Mini Chicken Salad, Avocado and Cheese Subs from Big Bear’s Wife
- Moroccan Fried Chicken from MarocMama
- Pepper, Spinach and Goat’s Cheese Quiche from Happy Baking Days
- Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Noshing with the Nolands
- Salmon in a Jar from Healthy. Delicious.
- Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Spam Musubi fromKimchi Mom
Desserts:
- Apricot Oat Nut Bars from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treat Pops from In The Kitchen With KP
- Fruit Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Loaded Butterscotch Bars from Vintage Kitchen
- Nathan’s Cookies from What Smells So Good?
- Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Truffles from Chocolate Moosey
- Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting from Food Lust People Love
- Triple Chocolate Punch Bowl Cake from Neighborfood
Drinks:
- Pineapple Sangria from Growing Up Gabel
- Top 10 Wines for Picnic #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine blog
- Watermelon Agua Fresca from Daily Dish Recipes
You can join in the chat on Twitter too: we’ll tweet throughout the day and share all of our picnic recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. To join in, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets. You can also check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and photos.
Comments & Reviews
Katy says
What a great way to serve chicken at a picnic! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Katy!!
Stacy says
When I was growing up, my favorite Sunday dinner (which was what we called the midday meal) was fried chicken, especially if we were visiting my grandmother. She made absolutely the best fried chicken. Yours looks lovely and crunchy and I may just have to break out the oil and start deep frying, something I usually avoid at home. You are making me homesick!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Stacy and I am so glad it evoked some fond memories for you!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Now this is a picnic! I love it! I remember as a kid my parents would randomly take up to this park that had a shallow creek, that my sister and I got to play in, and every time we would go, we would get Kentucky Fried Chicken. Your dish just brought back great memories. Thank you!! Now you got me wanting to make some fried chicken! Yummy!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Jennifer, yummy fried chicken was the first thing that popped into my head and I had never made it before, it was fun!!
Renee says
My aunt and uncle would always bring fried chicken to picnics. It’s such a classic and southern thing to do. I like that you used buttermilk because it does give a special flavor. If you have the time, let the chicken soak in buttermilk for an hour or two.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I saw or read from Carla Hall from The Chew not to soak your chicken as your skin will get flabby so I didn’t. These little things I store away in my brain for later. I did want to try that but was afraid.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
THIS is my kinda picnic food! My stomach is growling!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Jen.
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
Wow. That looks like perfection! The crust looks amazing! I’d say you guys have perfected fried chicken. Now if only I could try it…
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Amy!!
Soni says
Fried Chicken sounds perfect for a picnic!!And you’ve done it brilliantly 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Soni!
Amanda @ Marocmama says
Crunchy chicken – there’s nothing better!
Noshing with the Nolands says
It was really good, thanks Amanda!!
Liz says
Oh, yeah. This is definitely cooked to perfection! You two aced the ultimate picnic food!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Liz!!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
We double dredge our chicken at work and the crust gets so much better when fried!
Noshing with the Nolands says
It really makes is so crispy, it was delicious!!
Diana @GourmetDrizzles says
This chicken looks awesome! I’ve only fried tenders… we add in a bit of Old Bay Seasoning to the flour mix, and it’s surprisingly good! Great recipe and congrats on such a successful first chicken fry!! 😉
Noshing with the Nolands says
I am not sure if we can get Old Bay or not here. I will have to look for it or pick some up next time I am in the states.
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
Oh my goodness I am drooling looking at these photos. I love homemade fried chicken. A few years ago I made an oven-fried buttermilk chicken and it was incredible but I must confess there is nothing like fried chicken.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I was naughty this week for #SundaySupper and had to do the real thing!
Erin @ Table for 7 says
perfect picnic food! Looks divine Tara!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Erin!
Megan says
This is a perfect fried chicken recipe! yum!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Megan!!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I love me a good fried chicken at a picnic. So much better than a sandwich. Frying scares me though. I will be sure to invite you to my next picnic!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming over Emily!!
kathia Rodriguez says
Again love love love fried chicken, your looks supper delicious.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Kathia!!
The Ninja Baker says
You could compete with Paula Deen for business with that fried chicken, Tara. Yum-m-my!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Kim!!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
I adore fried chicken on picnics, especially when it’s cold! Love the buttermilk too
Noshing with the Nolands says
Never got a chance to actually have it cold but I know what you mean, yum!!
Martin D. Redmond says
Fried chicken is one of my picnic favorites, and your recipe looks great!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Martin!
Camille @ Growing Up Gabel says
Yum! There is nothing like homemade fried chicken!
Noshing with the Nolands says
You are right Camille!!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Oh, I still have to make fried chicken for the first time. I´m always afraid it won´t cook through, but this looks amazing Tara! I should just give it a try.
Noshing with the Nolands says
We were afraid of that but in 12 min. it was totally done, the wings even less and still juicy inside!!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
GREAT idea doing it in the garage – I hate how frying food stinks up the whole house, and no matter how careful you are, grease spatters everywhere. Do you have an extra stove in the garage, or a burner? I bought my husband a portable gas burner for brewing beer, but now I realized it would also be perfect for frying!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
We have a deep fryer and Ken put up a table and brought out everything there, opened up the big garage door and the man door and the air circulated right through. He uses the deep fryer on the back deck too! No stinky house!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ooooh this chicken looks AHmazingggg!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Kayle!!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
For some reason I’ve always been scared to make fried chicken. This looks good enough to face my fear though. Bring on the flaming hot oil!
Noshing with the Nolands says
We never used to fry but have gotten over the fear. It is not something we do regularly that is for sure but for a treat nothing is better!!
Laura Dembowski says
Not only have I never made fried chicken, but I’ve also never had it! I totally need to make a batch of this.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Hmmm, never had fried chicken!! Oh so good Laura!!!
Heather @girlichef says
This would definitely make the perfect addition to any picnic basket. Yum!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
TARA!!! Woman, you brought it hard this week – your fried chicken looks beyond amazing! I love that your flour is spiced (the only way to make fried chicken in my opinion). I can just imagine the tooth shattering crunch from the double batter method. Brilliant to fry it in the garage – the one thing that stops me from deep frying is the thought of my small apartment smelling like oil. I love this!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
yum! Love love love fried chicken. . !!!
Jennie@themessybakerblog says
Tara, this chicken looks perfect. I love fried chicken, especially when someone else is doing the frying. Yum!
Nicole says
Oh yeah Tara. I am so coming on a picnic with you. This buttermilk fried chicken looks AMAZING and is making my stomach grumble… I am so hungry. Great recipe! Personally I think chicken is the perfect picnic food!
Family Foodie says
Your fried chicken looks absolutely amazing. I love super crunchy yet juicy fried chicken. Great recipe!
Susan says
I love fried chicken, there’s really nothing more to add to that and yours looks great! It’s a picnic must.
Katie says
Wow wow – that looks like fried chicken perfection! Gorgeous indeed….
The Recipes Pk says
Perfect recipe for chicken lovers. Tried it last week and my husband loved it.
Tara Noland says
Excellent, thank you so much for telling me.