Fried Chicken Recipe

Everyone needs a go-to fried chicken recipe; there's nothing quite as delicious as tender, juicy chicken in a crispy, golden crust. If you've never tried making fried chicken, or don't have a reliable fried chicken recipe, we've got one for you.

This fried chicken recipe is straightforward — just toss pieces of chicken into seasoned flour then fry in hot oil — leaving lots of room for you to tailor the seasoning and spices to your pantry or individual taste. This fried chicken recipe calls for paprika and chili powder (which add a nice kick) but you can leave them out if you're looking for something more basic.

The trick to perfectly crispy fried chicken? Don't drain it on a paper towel after it's cooked. The chicken will end up steaming itself and having a soggy crust. Drain the excess oil from the fried chicken by placing it on a metal cooling rack over a baking sheet instead.

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Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.