History
Country-fried chicken in Kentucky goes back to the antebellum farmhouse kitchens of Southern home cooks, with Edna Lewis and other African-American cooks documenting recipes that pre-date the franchise era. The Louisville version typically uses buttermilk marinade, double dredging in seasoned flour, and cast-iron skillet frying. Wagner's Pharmacy serves a classic counter-style fried chicken plate, while Joella's and Royals Hot Chicken bring the modern Nashville-style spicy version to the city.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 litre buttermilk
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 300g plain flour
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying (or 50/50 oil and lard for traditional)
Method
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Cover with buttermilk, salt and hot sauce. Marinate refrigerated 24 hours.
- Whisk flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne in a wide pan.
- Heat oil to 165C in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven (depth around 5cm).
- Drain each chicken piece, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing to coat.
- Fry chicken in batches, skin-side down first, 8 to 10 minutes per side until golden brown and 75C internal.
- Drain on a wire rack, not paper towels (keeps crust crisp). Salt immediately.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving with biscuits and gravy.
Tip from the editors. Don't crowd the pan; the oil temperature drops and the chicken steams instead of frying. Cast iron holds heat best.
Where to eat kentucky country-fried chicken
Kentucky country-fried chicken in Louisville
Wagner's Pharmacy ★ 4.2
Wagner's Pharmacy in Louisville has cooked diner breakfast since 1922, the Derby-week racetrack canteen across from Churchill Downs with breakfast plates.
OrderCountry ham, two eggs, biscuits and gravy, sweet tea.
TipWalk-in counter. Closed Mondays. Breakfast all day Sunday Weekends fill by noon.
Joella's Hot Chicken ★ 4.0
Joella's Hot Chicken on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville fries Nashville-style hot chicken tenders for under $15 with a side, the family-friendly Crescent Hill.
TryHot chicken tenders with side
TipCounter-service. Tender plate with pimento mac and tea stays under $15.
Royals Hot Chicken ★ 4.4
Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville's NuLu fries Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches for under $15, the city's spice-level counter open to lunch and dinner.
TryHot chicken sandwich with side
TipCounter-service. Medium heat sandwich with a side keeps lunch under $15.
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