Louisiana Fried Chicken and Seafood: A Southern Classic
Savor Louisiana’s finest with crispy fried chicken, Cajun seafood, and Southern sides at Louisiana Fried Chicken and Seafood.
Ingredients
- Fried Chicken
- Chicken pieces drumsticks, thighs, wings, breasts
- Cajun seasoning paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper
- Buttermilk for marinating the chicken to tenderize and infuse flavor
- Flour for breading
- Cornstarch for extra crispiness
- Salt and black pepper
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- Fried Seafood Shrimp, Catfish, Oysters
- Seafood shrimp, catfish fillets, oysters
- Cornmeal used in the breading for a crispy texture
- Flour used for the breading mix
- Cajun seasoning paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, thyme
- Eggs for dredging
- Buttermilk for marinating the seafood
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- Southern Sides
- Mac & Cheese:
- Elbow macaroni
- Cheddar cheese
- Milk
- Butter
- Flour for thickening the sauce
- Breadcrumbs optional, for topping
- Cajun Fries:
- Potatoes
- Cajun seasoning paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
- Salt
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Collard Greens:
- Collard greens fresh or frozen
- Smoked turkey or ham for flavoring
- Onions
- Garlic
- Seasoned salt and pepper
- Vinegar optional, for added tang
- Hush Puppies:
- Cornmeal
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Eggs
- Milk
- Onions finely chopped
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Signature Dipping Sauces
- Cajun Ranch:
- Buttermilk
- Ranch dressing mix
- Cajun seasoning
- Spicy Mayo:
- Mayonnaise
- Cayenne pepper
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Honey Butter:
- Butter
- Honey
Instructions
- Chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, breasts)
- Cajun seasoning (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper)
- Buttermilk
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt and black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with buttermilk and Cajun seasoning. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, ideally overnight for the best flavor.
- Prepare the Breading: In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken by dipping it back in the buttermilk and then coating it in the flour mixture again.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oil and let it drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve with your favorite sides!
- Crispy Fried Seafood (Shrimp, Catfish, Oysters)
- Ingredients:
- Shrimp, catfish fillets, or oysters
- Cornmeal
- Flour
- Cajun seasoning
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Breading: In a shallow bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning. In another bowl, beat eggs and buttermilk together.
- Coat the Seafood: Dip each piece of seafood into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then dredge it in the cornmeal-flour mixture, ensuring it's well-coated.
- Fry the Seafood: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the seafood for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Shrimp and oysters will cook quickly, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Drain and Serve: Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce!
- Southern-Style Collard Greens
- Ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen collard greens
- Smoked turkey or ham (for flavor)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Seasoned salt and pepper
- Vinegar (optional)
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Greens: If using fresh collard greens, rinse them thoroughly, remove the stems, and chop them into bite-sized pieces. If using frozen greens, thaw them first.
- Cook the Flavor Base: In a large pot, sauté chopped onions and garlic in a bit of oil over medium heat until softened and fragrant.
- Simmer the Greens: Add the collard greens, smoked turkey or ham, and enough water or broth to cover the greens. Stir in seasoned salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the greens for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender and flavorful.
- Finish: Add vinegar to taste if you like a bit of tanginess. Remove from heat and serve as a side dish!
- Cajun Fries
- Ingredients:
- Potatoes (peeled and cut into fries)
- Cajun seasoning
- Salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Instructions:
- Prep the Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into thin fries. You can soak them in water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch for extra crispiness.
- Fry the Fries: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the potatoes in batches for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Season: Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. While still hot, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and salt to taste.
- Serve: Serve alongside fried chicken or seafood for the perfect Southern meal!
- Signature Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce
- Ingredients:
- Buttermilk
- Ranch dressing mix
- Cajun seasoning
- Instructions:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl, combine buttermilk with ranch dressing mix and Cajun seasoning. Stir until smooth.
- Chill: Let the sauce chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Serve as a dipping sauce for fried chicken, seafood, or even fries!
Notes
Louisiana-Style Fried Chicken 🍗
- Marinate for Flavor: Let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best!) 🕒 for that juicy, Cajun-infused goodness.
- Crispy Coating: Double-dip the chicken for an extra crispy crunch 🧇!
- Temperature Check: Make sure your oil is at 350°F (175°C) for perfectly crispy chicken 🔥.
Fried Seafood 🦐🐟
- Seafood Variety: Try mixing up the seafood! You can add shrimp, oysters, or even crab cakes 🦀 for a seafood feast.
- Watch the Frying Time: Seafood cooks quickly, usually within 4-6 minutes, so don't overcook it ⏳ to keep it tender.
- Extra Crispy: For an even crunchier texture, coat the seafood twice – once in buttermilk, then in the cornmeal-flour mixture! 💥
Southern-Style Collard Greens 🌿
- Slow and Steady: Collard greens need time to cook—give them 45-60 minutes for the best flavor 🍲.
- Meat Optional: Adding smoked turkey or ham gives it a rich, smoky taste 🐷, but you can skip it for a vegetarian version! 🌱
- Tangy Twist: Add a splash of vinegar at the end for that extra zing 🍋!
Cajun Fries 🍟
- Freshness is Key: Use fresh potatoes for the best texture and flavor! 🥔
- Crispy Tip: Soak the fries in water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which makes them crispier when fried 💧.
- Spicy Kick: Adjust the Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level 🔥 – go mild or crank up the heat!
Signature Dipping Sauces 🍯🌶️
- Chill for Flavor: Let your dipping sauces chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavors! 🧊
- Customization: Add more or less Cajun seasoning depending on how spicy you like your sauces 🔥.
- Perfect Pairing: Cajun ranch goes great with fried chicken, while spicy mayo is perfect for shrimp 🦐.