High Calorie Chicken Lunch: Fried Chicken Bucket with Mashed Potatoes Recipe

A bucket of fried chicken with a side of mashed potatoes. Sometimes lunch is a high calorie feast — and this Southern spread doesn't apologize for it.

Cook 70 min Difficulty NORMAL 830 kcal
#high protein #keto
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • bone-in chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts) 3 lbs
  • russet potatoes 4 large
  • buttermilk 2 cups
  • all-purpose flour 2 cups
  • vegetable oil (for frying) 48 oz
  • unsalted butter 4 tbsp
  • whole milk 3 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • salt 2 tsp
  • black pepper 1 tsp
  • paprika 1 tsp
  • garlic powder 1 tsp
  • onion powder 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 52 g 25%
Protein 34 g 16%
Fat 44 g 59%
Serving size 350g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    1. Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 1 hour (overnight preferred) in the refrigerator to tenderize and infuse flavor.

  2. 2

    2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Dredge each chicken piece thoroughly, pressing the flour mix to adhere.

  3. 3

    3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep heavy skillet to 350°F (medium-high heat); fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 14–16 minutes per batch or until golden brown and crisp. Drain on a rack.

  4. 4

    4. Meanwhile, boil peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until fork-tender (about 18 minutes). Drain well.

  5. 5

    5. Mash potatoes while hot; add unsalted butter and gradually stir in whole milk until fluffy and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  6. 6

    6. Serve fried chicken alongside mashed potatoes, ensuring both are piping hot for the best texture and flavor.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The core ingredient is bone-in chicken pieces, which provide both the flavor and the crispy texture central to Southern fried chicken. The buttermilk soak is equally vital, as it tenderizes the meat and infuses subtle tang, distinguishing the dish from ordinary fried chicken.
Q. What is the most important cooking point for crispy fried chicken?
Maintaining oil temperature at 350°F is essential. This ensures the flour coating becomes crisp without the chicken drying out or becoming greasy. Frying in batches and turning the pieces evenly is key to thorough, even browning.
Q. How do you make mashed potatoes creamy and prevent them from becoming gluey?
Mash the potatoes while they’re hot, and add butter and milk gradually, mixing just enough to combine. Over-mixing can release starch, resulting in a gluey texture, so stop stirring once the potatoes are fluffy and smooth.
Q. How many calories and protein are in each serving?
Each serving is approximately 830 kcal, with 34 grams of protein. The protein-to-carb ratio highlights the meal's substantial protein content compared to its carbohydrate load.
Q. Does this dish fit a keto diet?
With 52g carbs and a fat ratio of 59%, this recipe is not strict keto, but its high fat content and substantial protein per serving do align with some high-fat low-carb meal patterns. However, the mashed potatoes increase the carb count, so swap them out if following a strict keto plan.
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