Copycat Applebee's Chicken Fried Chicken

Recreate the irresistible comfort of your favorite restaurant with this Copycat Applebee's Chicken Fried Chicken recipe! Perfectly seasoned, hand-breaded chicken breasts are fried to golden, crispy perfection and paired with a rich, homemade country gravy that’s silky and full of flavor. This dish combines the satisfying crunch of the chicken’s double-dredged coating with the velvety smoothness of the savory gravy, making it an irresistible Southern-inspired classic. With simple ingredients like buttermilk, paprika, and a touch of garlic and onion powder, it's an easy-to-follow recipe that brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your table in under an hour. Serve it up alongside mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a hearty, comforting meal the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for gravy)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt (for gravy)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (for gravy)

Directions

Step 1

Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs.

Step 4

Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture, and finally coat again with the flour mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure it sticks.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 6

Carefully place the chicken into the hot oil and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 8

For the gravy, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.

Step 9

Gradually add the chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly to combine. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 10

Season the gravy with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 11

Serve the fried chicken warm, topped with the creamy gravy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2546.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6448.2

Total Fat 493.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 92.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 269.5g
Cholesterol 1074.4mg	0%
Sodium 7878.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 250.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.9g	0%
Total Sugars 26.1g
Protein 279.8g	0%

Vitamin D 323.2IU	0%
Calcium 838.1mg	0%
Iron 22.9mg	0%
Potassium 3470.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.7%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 15.3%