Southern Buttermilk Chicken Biscuits (Printable)

Fluffy cheddar biscuits meet savory buttermilk chicken in this Southern-inspired comfort dish.

# What You Need:

→ For the fried chicken

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2 cups buttermilk
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
05 - 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
06 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ For the cheddar biscuits

09 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
10 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
14 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 3/4 cup whole milk
16 - 1/2 cup buttermilk

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken thighs and buttermilk in a large bowl, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour and up to overnight.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until thoroughly blended.
03 - Remove chicken from buttermilk and allow excess liquid to drain. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to ensure full coverage.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken thighs in batches for 7–9 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on wire rack set over paper towels.
05 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss in cold butter cubes and rub in by hand or use a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in cheddar cheese.
06 - Stir in milk and buttermilk just until dough comes together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat to 1-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter.
07 - Arrange biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 13–15 minutes until tops are golden and centers are cooked through. Transfer to wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy enough for beginner bakers yet impressive for guests
  • Ready in under an hour perfect for family meals or gatherings
  • Uses simple staple ingredients that you likely already have on hand
02 -
  • High in protein for satisfying comfort that lasts
  • Biscuits freeze beautifully so you can make extras ahead
  • A crowd pleaser that bridges savory and cheesy cravings
03 -
  • Always use the coldest butter for biscuits and handle dough with a light touch for those perfect layers
  • Season chicken at least ten minutes ahead so flavors really infuse It makes every bite pop
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying chicken so the crust stays shatteringly crisp

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