Copycat Church’s Fried Chicken : The Secret Recipe Blog

Mar
13
2007

Copycat Church’s Fried Chicken

Posted by: ChefTom in Categories: Church's Chicken, Recipes.

I must say, I have never had Church’s Fried Chicken… I don’t even know where there is a Church’s near me. lol Anyway, so many people e-mail me about this recipe, so I had to post it. I tried it last night and it was definitely the best fried chicken I’ve ever made at home. I served it with some homemade mashed potatoes and my Mom made her famous green bean casserole. I’d love to hear some feedback from some of you who have been to Church’s.

1 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 tsp seasoned salt
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup biscuit mix
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
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1 Chicken (Cut into Pieces)
————————-
2 eggs, mix with
1/4 cup cold water
————————-
1 cup corn oil (for frying)

Combine first set of ingredients in a 4-cup bowl. Mix to blend the ingredients thoroughly.

Dip the chicken pieces in egg mixture and then into dry coating mix and repeat so each piece is double coated.

Pre-heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Brown pieces skin-side down for 4 to 6 minutes. Use medium high heat.

Turn and brown underside of pieces a few minutes. Transfer to an oiled or Pam-sprayed pan. Cover with foil, sealing it on only 3 sides of pan.

Bake at 350F for about 45 to 50 minutes. Remove foil, then Bake another 5 minutes until the coating is crisp.

(205 votes, average: 3.43 out of 5)

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40 Comments

40 Comments until now

On March 18th, 2007 Carol Broussard Said:

Haven’t tried YOUR recipe yet, but if it’s as good as the Church’s in the nearby city of Beaumont, TX, it’s going to have to be really great!!! Can’t pass one without buying!!!

On March 19th, 2007 Jerrie Said:

Church’s Chicken is good BUT, the ones here in Phenix City,Al & Columbus,Ga are to greasy.

On March 19th, 2007 ChefTom Said:

This is a good tip. For better results… Soak the chicken in ice water for several hours before breading and frying.

On March 20th, 2007 Sue Said:

Church’s chicken is very good . I was told by an x employee that they soak the chicken overnight in cold salted water . I haven’t tried this recipe yet but will soon .
Sue

On March 23rd, 2007 Brenda Said:

There are a number of Church’s Chicken sites in Phoenix, AZ. It’s my favorite, bar none. I like the thigh’s best with a jalapeno pepper. Awesome!

On March 24th, 2007 Debra Said:

I did this one last night and it came out
W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-l! Thanks so much!

Debra
Web Mistres
Secret Treasures of the Barefoot Cafe

On March 24th, 2007 renee45 Said:

I think Church’s chicken is greasy everywhere! I think that’s what makes it so good! I like it because it’s crispy outside and moist inside. The crispy skin is what sets it apart from KFC and Bo’s.Church’s is so popular here, they sometimes run out of chicken on Sunday afternoons. I like it best with fries, okra, jalapenos and dinner rolls. I’m using this recipe for an Easter cookout.

On March 25th, 2007 Ron Douglas Said:

I’ve had Church’s Fried chick many times and this recipe is darn close to the real thing. If you put this chicken in a Church’s chicken box you’ll fool almost everyone .

Here in NY, their are many Church’s Chicken / White Castle combo restaurants. We also have many Burger King/Popeye’s, KFC/Taco Bell and KFC/Pizza Hut combo restaurants. I don’t like these combo joints because I think they should focus on one thing. I guess real estate is so expensive here that combo restaurants make sense.

I’m going to open up a McDonald’s/Jenny Craig combo. LOL

Ron

On March 30th, 2007 Cathy Said:

I made this recipe for my family and my son said that it was the best breaded chicken he has ever eaten. I also use skinless chicken pieces and it comes out great. I’ll have to try soaking it in salted cold water and see if it makes any difference. I put the pieces in the deep fryer until I got the color I wanted, then I put the pieces in the oven at 350 to cook it the rest of the way. I’ve never even heard of Church’s.

On March 30th, 2007 Phil Simons Said:

I live in Dallas Tx. an I have a Church’s Fried chicken just down the street. But I wood much rather make this recipe, why wast the money. This is the BEST recipe for fried chicken I have ever seen. Thank you

On March 30th, 2007 Howard Said:

Made this chicken this evening (March 30th) and thought it was lousy. The chicken was cooked very nice, but the batter was terrible. I am not an American and have a better appreciation for food in Canada. Will stay with the traditional way of roasting chicken. Thank-you.

On April 6th, 2007 Sheila Said:

I tried this recipe the other night because it sounded flavorful and different. I thought it was delicious! The coating was crisp without a hint of grease and the chicken was tender and moist. We don’t have Church’s fried chicken in RI so I’ve never had it before but this was great.
We ate the leftovers cold the next day and it definitely was not as good. Next time i’d pop leftovers in the oven to crisp up a bit before serving.

On April 13th, 2007 Pludie Said:

I live in the south and we have Church’s Chicken all over the place. When I go by one, I have to stop just for a piece of chicken and their okra. The chicken is divine. Definitely the juiciest meat you will ever find. I won’t eat the skin on any chicken, not even my own, but I have to say Church’s chicken is different. I usually only have the bone left.

On April 14th, 2007 Angela Said:

I live in Florida where Church’s Chicken is very popular. Their chicken is great, and I cannot wait to try it at home. However, their mushrooms are even better then their chicken. I would appreciate you posting the mushroom recipe if you can find it. It will be a big hit on your site.

On August 2nd, 2007 Ms Bradley Said:

Hmmmm… This was probably the most dissappointing thing I have ever tried to prepare. I am not a novice cook. I am a typical home cook that prepares meals on a regualar basis. That said, the chicken was so so so not worth the trouble. The breading tastes strangely like onion ring breading. IN fact the chicken actually tastes like onion rings. The coating was SOAKED in grease, and pretty much fell off the chicken onto the plate. This may be a good BASE recipe that needs a LOT of tweaking…. But it is certainly not worth the extra time, and ingredients!

On August 12th, 2007 Linda Chapman Said:

I live in Arizona where there are plenty of Church’s Chicken restaurants, especially in Phoenix. However, your recipe, although tasty, doesn’t “copy cat” the flavor or texture of Church’s chicken at all.

On September 25th, 2007 Claudia Barthelmes Said:

Church’s chicken is the best, nice and crisp on the outside and the inside is moist. If we are near a Church’s Chicken while traveling about noon we stop and get the 8 piece which is 2 meals for us. I’m looking forward to trying this recipe and would be happy if it comes out half as good.

On September 28th, 2007 Shalori Said:

I am looking for the recipe for Churches OKRA!! OMG Ive been away since the 70’s and S-T-I-L-L remember stuffing my face

On December 29th, 2007 Bunny Said:

I’m looking for Church’s “Spicy Sprinkles” recipe. It’s a condiment packet that they used to give out with their chicken. Used my last packet recently and no Florida stores are ordering it from the company. All my nearby Church’s are franchises that are reducing $/inventory so no more Spicy Sprinkles.

Anyone?

On June 10th, 2008 thereh soriente Said:

here’s in the philippines have three brances of church’s chicken…never tried it though i’m planning to go on this weekend to try the original recipes chicken had! i think it’s way better to have jalapeños on the side! wooooooooooooh! i’m craving now! haha…way cool

On June 29th, 2008 Rick Heilman Said:

Tried this recepie after seeing so many times in different places. Turned out being a soggy greasy mess even after allowing 15min to “crisp”. Then went back in oven another 10min at 400 and a little better. Maybe I missed something. Might be better cooked on a rack? Taste was just OK and certainly not anything close to Churches Chicken.

On July 8th, 2008 MCarter Said:

When we lived in Houston, TX, the man who started Church’s Chicken was my next door neighbor. We were like his “test subjects”. Boy, do I love Church’s Chicken. For those of you who haven’t tried Church’s Chicken, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! It is by far the BEST!!! Thanks for posting this.

On July 28th, 2008 Karen Said:

I love Churchs fried chicken but this was NOTHING like it. Fed it to the dogs.

On July 31st, 2008 Shalori Said:

OY! Churches used to have wonderful deep fried Okra and gizzards. OMG! to die for!!! I am in a state that does not have any of this and I would LOVE to have the recipe for them.

On July 31st, 2008 Shalori Said:

OY! Churches used to have wonderful deep fried Okra and gizzards. OMG! to die for!!! I am in a state that does not have any of this and I would LOVE to have the recipe for them!!! I am drooling just thinking of them.

On August 2nd, 2008 My Wok Life Said:

Hey, I have a fried chicken recipe, too! Chinese style fried chicken wings. Do visit my blog and give it a try! Add me to your blogroll, please…

On October 22nd, 2008 ReoTwo Said:

I will definitely try this. I used to be crazy about Church’s Chicken and always wondered how they made it. They’re use to be plenty of them here in Chicago. They are famous (at least with us) for their wonderfully seasoned, and extra crispy batter and moistness. We love their batter covered mushroom too. If this recipe even comes close, I’ll be happy!

On October 24th, 2008 carol piernikowski Said:

i really want to make this

On January 1st, 2009 Janalee Said:

I just got done making this chicken recipe. It was definetly good but nothing like Church’s chicken. I love Church’s chicken and I was so hoping that it would taste like it since I have to drive 20 miles to get to a Church’s.

On April 20th, 2009 Meata America » Cooking with Condiments Said:

[...] I was trying to dig around for other recipes using condiment packages, but didn’t find a lot. There’s a chicken wrap for backpackers and a copycat version of Church’s chicken. [...]

On May 14th, 2009 Clodine Said:

My sister and I were the first to try Church’s Chicken
when they were putting a franchise here in Dayton OH. We are southern girls and would never tell our mom it was as good as hers. We only have a couple left here.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I always cook my chicken in a pressure fryer. Hope it works well for this recipe..

On June 16th, 2009 John Said:

hi, what’s a good brand of italian dressing mix and onion soup mix to use?

also, what is a seasoned salt?

some suggested an overnight soak in cold salted water, how much salt is required?

On June 16th, 2009 John Said:

ps. how about the recipe for the gravy?

On June 19th, 2009 Rick Said:

If you have had Churches Chicken and liked it you are going to be very dissapointed in this. Not worth the trouble at all. Soaking in saltwater (brining) is poplar. Makes chicken and pork plump. Anywhere from a cup of salt per quart to a cup per gal depending on how long you want to brine. Google brining for many hints. Hope this helps.

On June 22nd, 2009 Linda Said:

Easy Chicken Gravy

3 tablespoons butter
3 to 3 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth

In a heavy sauce pan, melt butter and add flour. Stir to combine with a whisk. Cook until a light carmel color, stirring often. Slowly add chicken broth, stirring all the while, until thickened. Serve over mashed potatoes, chicken or biscuits. Enjoy!

On August 11th, 2009 Deb Said:

Does anyone know where I can get the copy cat recipe for the Jalapeno Sauce? Love that stuff but our Church’s rarely has it.

Thanks.

On September 21st, 2009 ck526 Said:

I will be trying this recipe tonight i will let everyone know how it turns out.

Thanks

On September 27th, 2009 Former Employee Said:

Im laughing reading all of these so called Church’s chicken recipes. Not a one of them is correct. I worked at Church’s a few summers ago. The way they make their chicken is to keep the chicken’ in a fridge just on the upside of freezing. When they are ready to cook the chicken they spread the chicken out in a sifter pan. Spray it with cold water and add a Flour and season mix. The seasons are the key, Paprika , sugar, Salt and peper, onion powder and two more the cook couldnt proonouce. Once the chicken is wet, then dump half your flour mixture over it. Sift it by turning the chicken by hand!! not in a bag! Leave sit for three minutes and repeat. Now dump it in Oil and deep fry it for 17-19 Minutes in 350 degree oil. To make it spicy just add extra of the spicier seasonings. Its basicaly the same. As for why your chicken doesnt taste the same. Thats cause Church’s uses the same fryers for all their food, so they are also cooking fried okra, poppers, friends, pies,and chicken paties in there too and those juices are mixing with the chicken. I cant believe no one has realized that, lol

On October 9th, 2009 Anne Said:

Tried this recipe last night. Although it was tasty, it wasn’t anything like the Church’s fried chicken that I remember. First off, the breading was way too thick and heavy. Church’s was good because the breading was light and not over-seasoned like KFC. I will try again with the same breading mix, but I will use the former employee’s advice and not use an egg dip. I will also use my deep fryer next time. Thanks for the insider info “Former Employee”!

On October 29th, 2009 joe Said:

Church’s Chicken
They purchase a Seasoning blend(Garlic, Salt,pepper and other seasonings)Key to good tasting chicken is Garlic. they add to Cold water to marinate the chicken in for 24 hrs they then drain it and cut up the chicken into 8 pieces (not 9 theat KFC does ) Makes bigger Breast and wing meat…
They then have a battering soultion (prepackaged of more Garlic and egg white blend .Then they double batter the pieces .(liquid flour liquid flour ) tap off excess flower otherwise you get crunchy. If there are any breaks in the flour your chicken will be greasy . they then cook approx 16 minutes untill legs float in the oil .
Drain and ready to eat…

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Copycat Church’s Fried Chicken

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