Fried chicken with creamy gravy is a dish that’s synonymous with comfort. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fried chicken is a beloved favorite around the world. When paired with a rich, velvety gravy, it becomes the ultimate indulgence. This classic comfort food is perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug.
The key to perfect fried chicken starts with the coating. A mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and seasonings creates a crispy, golden crust. To get that crunch just right, ensure the oil is at the perfect temperature, hot enough to fry the chicken evenly without burning the outside. The chicken should cook until the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy and tender, a process that requires attention to detail but rewards you with a satisfying bite.
While the chicken fries, you can make the creamy gravy that will take this dish to the next level. The gravy begins with the flavorful bits left behind in the skillet after frying the chicken—this is where all the goodness lies. Adding a bit of butter, flour, and milk creates a smooth, creamy sauce that brings the dish together. Season it with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to enhance the flavor, and you’ll have a gravy that’s rich and comforting.
Once the chicken is golden and crispy, plate it up and generously pour the creamy gravy over the top. The smooth, velvety gravy adds an extra layer of flavor that perfectly complements the crispy chicken. For added flavor, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, or serve it with a side of mashed potatoes to soak up the extra gravy.
Fried chicken with creamy gravy is a dish that’s sure to bring smiles to the table. Whether it’s a Sunday dinner or a special treat, this dish never fails to satisfy cravings for something hearty, flavorful, and absolutely comforting.

Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
- 2 tablespoons butter for gravy
- 1 1/2 cups milk for gravy
- 1/4 teaspoon salt for gravy
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk with half of the flour, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge in the remaining flour. Shake off excess.
- Fry the chicken in the hot oil, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- For the gravy, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the leftover flour mixture from the chicken dredging.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, bring to a simmer, and stir continuously until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and additional black pepper to taste.
- Serve the fried chicken with the creamy gravy poured over the top or on the side.
It just seems like too much oil to me. Baking is healthier right? I think I’ll pass.
This fried chicken recipe was amazing! The gravy really took it to another level. 5 stars for sure!
I’m not sure about the buttermilk marinating…Does it really make that much of a difference? I usually just use egg.
Yum! I made this for a family dinner, and everyone loved it! No leftovers! 🙂
That’s awesome! Fried chicken is always a hit at gatherings. I need to try making this too!
No leftovers? Are you sure? That sounds a bit unbelievable. Fried chicken usually leaves people wanting more!
I tried this, but my chicken didn’t turn out crispy. What did I do wrong?
Why does it take so long to fry? Can’t I just microwave? 👎🏻 ⭐
I don’t get why everyone loves this recipe. It was just okay to me. Maybe I’m just not a fried chicken person. ⭐⭐⭐
This fried chicken recipe is the best! The gravy made it taste so good. Thanks!
I totally agree! The gravy was amazing! Fried chicken is always better with a good sauce. 😊
Not sure what you mean…it’s just fried chicken. Ever try it without the gravy? Better, trust me.
Gravy was a bit too thick for my taste. Maybe less flour next time? But the chicken was alright.
Fryin chicken? Can you bake it instead? Not a fan of frying, too greasy!
Baking is nice too but it won’t taste the same as frying! You gotta have that crispy skin! 😊
I think frying’s the best way for flavor. Baking might come out dry. Just saying! 😬
Amazing flavor! I swapped the vegetable oil for olive oil cause it’s healthier. Still turned out delish!
This is absolutely the best fried chicken recipe I’ve ever tried! The chicken was crispy and the gravy was to die for. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Real southern comfort food! Just tasted like my grandma’s cooking. Love it!
Gravy was too runny for me. Slightly disappointed. Maybe add more flour?
This is just like my grandma used to make. Brings back memories, but can someone explain what the heck is paprika?
Just fried chicken? Not really my thing, but I bet it’s good for those who like it.
Fried chicken sounds greasy. Can’t you just grill it? It tastes better and it’s healthier.
I totally get it! Not everyone is into fried stuff. But trust me, this chicken is crispy heaven! 😋
Fried chicken? More like fried heaven! A great recipe for Sunday dinner! 🐔
It turned out ok, but I think I overcooked it. Also, the gravy was a bit lumpy which was a letdown.
Lumpy gravy? Yikes! I usually just use a blender to fix that! But hey, at least it was edible, right?
Overcooked chicken is the worst! Maybe try frying it a bit less next time. And about that gravy, sometimes whisking helps with lumps!
Super easy to follow! I did add some garlic powder because I love garlic. Yum!
Adding garlic powder sounds like a great idea! I bet it really enhances the flavor. I’m definitely going to try that next time!
Is it really good? I think I prefer baked chicken but my wife will love this. Might give it a shot. 🤔
This fried chicken is the best I’ve ever made! So crispy and juicy! I’ll be making this again for sure!
Why use buttermilk? I ain’t got time for that! Just use regular milk like I did. It worked fine.
Yeah, sounds good, but it seems like a lot of steps for fried chicken. Can’t I just throw it in the fryer? 😂 ⭐⭐
Nah, if you just fry it, it ain’t gonna be the same! The marinating makes it juicy. Trust me! 🤷♂️
I get what you mean! Frying is simpler, but sometimes the extra steps make it taste so much better! 😋👍
I wasn’t sure about buttermilk, but it made the chicken super tender! I love this recipe.
I don’t know about the buttermilk part… can I just use regular milk instead? Not sure if it’ll work. ⭐⭐⭐
You can use regular milk, but it won’t be as tangy. Buttermilk adds flavor and tenderness! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think using normal milk is fine. My grandma always did it that way and it tasted great! ⭐⭐⭐
Too greasy for my taste. I don’t think I’ll try this again. I prefer baked chicken, honestly.
Baked chicken is definitely healthier, but fried has its charm. Not everyone’s cup of tea! 🤷♂️
Tried makin this last night and it was a total flop! Chicken was raw inside but burnt outside. Waste of food. 😠
Yum!! I added some cayenne pepper for a kick, turned out great! 🔥
Chicken good, gravy not so much.. I added garlic and made it better. 🤔
Too much flour for me. I like it simpler, maybe just some salt and pepper😕. ⭐⭐
This fried chicken is SO good! I made it for my family and they couldn’t stop eating. 5 stars!
Yummy but I think the oil is too much. My kitchen was a big mess! 😂
Yummy!! I added some hot sauce in the buttermilk. NYOM NYOM! 🔥🔥
Hot sauce in buttermilk? That’s kinda weird, don’t you think? Just stick to the recipe, man.
That sounds spicy! Never thought of adding hot sauce to buttermilk. I’ll have to try that next time! 🌶️
This is just like my mom used to make! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Not sure why it takes 20 minutes to fry! It felt too long. Is there a faster way?
This fried chicken is absolutely delicious! The gravy just takes it to another level. Family loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My grandma used to make this all the time but with a twist! She added hot sauce to the buttermilk. Gonna try it this way too! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
That sounds like an interesting twist! Hot sauce in buttermilk? 🤔 I’m gonna try it too! 👍
Fried chicken is my favorite but I’ve never made it. This recipe looks easy enough—giving it a shot tonight! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐