Southern Fried Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

Crispy, juicy Southern-style fried chicken paired with ultra-creamy, cheesy mac and cheese—the ultimate comfort food classic.

 Ingredients

For the Southern Fried Chicken

• 1 kg (2–2.5 lb) chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or mixed)
• 2 cups buttermilk (or milk + 2 tbsp lemon juice)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Breading

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
• Salt & pepper to taste

For Frying

• Vegetable or canola oil (enough for deep or shallow frying)

For the Creamy Mac and Cheese

• 250 g (8 oz) elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk (warm)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp mustard powder or paprika (optional)

 Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne.
2. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight best).

2️⃣ Fry the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 170–175°C / 340–350°F.
2. Mix flour with spices in a shallow bowl.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, dredge thoroughly in seasoned flour.
4. Fry in batches 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain on paper towels and rest 5 minutes.

3️⃣ Make the Creamy Mac and Cheese

1. Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute.
4. Gradually add warm milk, whisking until smooth and thick.
5. Lower heat; stir in cheeses, salt, pepper, and mustard powder.
6. Add cooked macaroni and mix until fully coated and creamy.

 Serving

• Plate creamy mac and cheese.
• Top or serve alongside crispy fried chicken.
• Optional garnish: chopped parsley, hot sauce, or a drizzle of honey.

 Nut Information (Important)

• Contains NO nuts by default.
• Peanut-free & tree nut–free when prepared as written.
• Allergy caution:
  • Check cheese, butter, flour, and oil labels for cross-contamination warnings.
  • Use dedicated nut-free oil if cooking for someone with severe allergies.

 Variations & Tips

• Extra crispy chicken: Double-dredge (dip back in buttermilk, then flour again).
• Baked option: Bake breaded chicken at 200°C / 400°F for 40–45 minutes.
• Spicy mac: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to cheese sauce.
• Baked mac & cheese: Transfer to dish, top with breadcrumbs, bake 15 minutes.

 Q & A

Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes—reduce frying time to 6–8 minutes.

Q: Can I make mac and cheese ahead?
A: Yes. Reheat gently with a splash of milk.

Q: Why is my mac grainy?
A: Heat was too high when adding cheese—always melt cheese on low heat.

Q: Can I freeze this meal?
A: Fried chicken freezes well (up to 2 months). Mac and cheese is best fresh but can be frozen with slight texture change.

Q: Is this kid-friendly?
A: Absolutely—omit cayenne and mustard powder if needed.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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