Name: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes (plus overnight marinade)
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups buttermilk; 3 1/2 cups whole milk; 1 small Spanish onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices; 2 medium jalapeños, sliced; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon Tabasco pepper sauce; 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2x4-inch strips; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated garlic; 2 tablespoons onion powder; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 teaspoons ground sage; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper; Canola oil, for frying; Homemade or store bought ranch dressing, for serving; deep fry/candy thermometer, two 13x18-inch rimmed baking sheets, 2 wire cooling racks

Buttermilk fried chicken fingers on a white plate with a small bowl of ranch dressing.

These zesty chicken fingers get their flavor from a tangy buttermilk marinade and a breading spiked with smoked paprika. Be sure to plan ahead—these chicken pieces taste best when marinated for 24 hours before they are cooked.

Recipe information

Total Time
45 minutes (plus overnight marinade)
Yield
Serves 4

Ingredients

For the buttermilk marinade:

3 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 1/2 cups whole milk

1 small Spanish onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

2 medium jalapeños, sliced

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon Tabasco pepper sauce

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2x4-inch strips

For the seasoned flour:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

2 tablespoons onion powder

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons ground sage

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Canola oil, for frying

Homemade or store bought ranch dressing, for serving

Special Equipment:

deep fry/candy thermometer, two 13x18-inch rimmed baking sheets, 2 wire cooling racks

Preparation

Step 1
In a wide, shallow bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, onion, jalapeño, salt, and Tabasco. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 250°F. Set cooling racks over rimmed baking sheets. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated garlic, onion powder, thyme, sage, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Step 3
In a large pot, pour in enough oil to come up to 2 inches. Set over medium-high heat until oil registers 350°F on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches of 4 to 5 pieces, remove chicken from marinade, shaking to remove any vegetables and excess liquid, and dredge in the seasoned flour. Fry chicken pieces, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes total per batch. Transfer chicken to wire racks and warm in oven while frying remaining batches.
Step 4
Serve chicken fingers with ranch dressing, if desired.

TagsFried Chicken Southern American Soul Food Buttermilk Dairy Chicken Thigh Chicken Poultry Paprika Herbs & Spices Jalapeño Chile Vegetable Onion Root Vegetable Main Dinner Nut Free Deep Fry Epicurious

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

47 Chicken Thigh Recipes for Delicious, Easy Dinners
The weeknight-friendly protein is as versatile as they come.
41 Easy Buttermilk Recipes for Any Time of Day
For better fried chicken, and salad, and fudge, simply pour on the tang.
73 Salty Snacks for Father's Day
Every one of these snacks is tasty with a cold beer.
11 Recipes for a Weekend Picnic
A Lebanese pepper dip, a buttery-but-light pound cake, and imminently dippable chicken fingers.
12 Snacks We Want to Give to Chris Pratt Right Now
As Pratt trains for his Jurassic World sequel, he's been documenting his healthy, high-protein snacks on Instagram via #whatsmysnack. We're here to help him answer that question.
5 Kid-Friendly Meals for Back-to-School Season
Turn to this roster of quick-cooking dinners to help make the transition as painless as possible.
Make the Best Chicken Fingers of All Time
The key to crispy, fried greatness lies in a few glugs of buttermilk, a handful of spices, and a bit of time.
These Chicken Nuggets Will Put the New McNuggets to Shame
They might not come with soda and a toy, but these three recipes are all you need to conquer crispy-chicken cravings.
It's Fried Chicken Time
Break your fear of frying at home with these 31 recipes for the quintessential Southern staple.