1950s Style Church Chicken

Sunday, January 2, 2022
Back in the 1950s mom would cut up a  whole chicken, dip it in seasoned flour, fry it, then bake it and we still love this easy recipe.

The chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, paprika, herbs, salt, pepper, and it's just full of flavor.

The chicken is fried first until golden, after it's browned on both sides, it goes in the oven for around 1 hour, which will make it literally fall off the bone tender.

You can use any parts of the chicken you prefer, we use a bone-in cut-up whole chicken.

After all these years we have adapted this recipe for air frying for those who want a healthier version of the great taste of fried/baked chicken.

I believe the reasoning for the title "church style chicken" was because mom had a catering business back in the 1950s, she would make huge pans to sell, and many folks after church came to get an order after Sunday mass from her deli.

This is a much scaled-down recipe of what she used and can be doubled tripled to how much you need for your family.

If you're a chicken fan like we are you may like to try our Dippings Sauces there are several to choose from.

Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact instructions.


this is a floured and fried chicken parts





Old Fashioned Chicken Recipes



Although we have adapted this recipe from the 1950s version, it's still our favorite way to cook this chicken.


If you're looking for a healthier version and not fried then try our Air Fryer Method below.


I love spicy chicken and if you do also, then you can add some cayenne pepper to this flour mixture for a little heat or try our Blackened Cajun Style Spicy Chicken recipe.


floured fried chicken parts


Step By Step Cutting A Whole Chicken

  1. Turn your chicken breast side up 
  2. Cut away the thighs and legs at the joint 
  3. Remove the wings.
  4. Remove the back from the breast meat
  5. Separate the breast meat



How To Air Fry Using This Chicken Recipe

  1. mix the seasoning in a bowl
  2. in another bowl add buttermilk mixed with 1 egg
  3. in another bowl add the seasoning
  4. dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then lastly in the flour
  5. Air Fry Directions:  preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees spray the basket cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Turn the chicken and spray it with cooking oil. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until internal temperature registers 165 degrees and is no longer pink.


assorted chicken parts cut up


More Chicken Recipes To Try



Chicken Francese


Baked Taste Like Fried Lemon Chicken Cutlets


Bundt Pan Roasted Chicken


chicken in buttermilk


Pin for later





Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes



This is a deliciously easy weeknight chicken recipe for when you need to make a large amount for a crowd!


If you love old-fashioned recipes just like mom used to make this one is over 70 years old and still a family favorite!


Again, check out the instructions for air frying for healthy alternatives and use gluten-free flour both suggested.


1950s Style Church Chicken

1950s Style Church Chicken

Yield: 8
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 6 MinCook time: 1 H & 30 MTotal time: 1 H & 36 M
Here is an old-fashioned fried then baked seasoned floured chicken recipe. There is also an adaption for air frying.

Ingredients

  • 1 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or use a gluten-free flour blend like Bob's Red Mill)
  • 1 teaspoon season salt
  • 1- 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, basil, and oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: for spicy food, lovers add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • around 4 pounds of 1 - whole chicken, cut into pieces
  • Note for Chicken pieces: ( we use bone-in pieces, however, boneless breasts can be used but must be large and very thick so it doesn't dry out)
  • 2 to 3 cups of either milk, buttermilk, or water
  • Oil for frying such as vegetable oil or shortening /lard,

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Heat around 2 inches of oil on medium heat.
  3. While the oil is heating mix the coating, in a large deep pan this is to roll the chicken in.
  4. Pour around 2 cups of liquid in a clean bowl deep enough to dip the chicken in.
  5. Note: Mom would dip the chicken in either milk, buttermilk, or water just to get it wet enough to have the flour stick to the chicken.
  6. Dredge the wet chicken into the flour.
  7. Place in the medium heated oil and brown on both sides until a light golden brown.
  8. Add two chopped celery stalks and a few carrots (just for flavoring the water) to a large roasting pan with 1/2 cup water.
  9. Put the browned chicken pieces in the large roasting pan and loosely cover it with foil then bake it for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
  10. Note: Check the internal temperature of the chicken to be at 165 degrees, if it's not done continue cooking.

Notes:

Air Fryer Directions

  1. mix the seasoning in a bowl
  2. in another bowl add buttermilk mixed with 1 egg
  3. in another bowl add the seasoning
  4. dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then lastly in the flour
  5. Air Fry Directions: preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees spray the basket cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Turn the chicken and spray it with cooking oil. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until internal temperature registers 165 degrees and is no longer pink.

Step By Step Cutting A Whole Chicken

  1. Turn your chicken breast side up 
  2. Cut away the thighs and legs at the joint 
  3. Remove the wings.
  4. Remove the back from the breast meat
  5. Separate the breast meat


church fried baked chicken, air fryer chicken, seasoned floured chicken recipes, old fashioned chicken, old fashioned fried chicken, 1960s style chicken recipes
chicken recipes, air fryer recipes, old fashioned chicken recipes, fried chicken recipes
American, Southern


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Side Dish Suggestions




fried then baked chicken old fashioned style


Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2016. It was edited and re-published in 2022.

20 comments

  1. Can't beat a good fried chicken recipe like this. Such a comforting Sunday meal!

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  2. Such a classic recipe! I love the seasonings you use and all the great information you provide.

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  3. My kids loved fried chicken! This recipe was a real winner in this house.

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  4. The flavor on this chicken is amazing! This chicken was such a hit at my house and I love how easy it was to prepare. Definitely would make this again :) Thanks!

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  5. Such wonderful flavors paired with this chicken! I love how easily it comes together and that you have adapted the directions for the air fryer.

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  6. Pinned to make for family this weekend! This looks like the chicken of my childhood!

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  7. This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family

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  8. Wow, what an interesting read. And a great chicken recipe to follow, too!

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  9. This may become my new favorite way to cook chicken. It looks adorable!

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  10. I really need to try using buttermilk for savoury dishes. At the moment it's only used for pancakes in my house. Will definitely try this!

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  11. I love a good vintage recipe that is tried and true! Delish!

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  12. These are so delicious! Will definitely be making them again!

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  13. Awesome! I made it last night and it was a huge hit at my home. I love how easy it is to make this classic chicken recipe. Thank you for this simple and delicious recipe.

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  14. It was super tasty, first time I cooked chicken this way and it was delicious!

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  15. This church chicken was so delicious! YUMMM

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  16. lovely throw back recipe! love how basic and tasty it is!

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  17. Wow! this is my new favorite recipe!

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  18. This is so so crispy and so tasty! Everyone loved it. Definitely making it again. Was just a nice, simple, classic chicken!

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  19. New way to cook chicken. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Oh I love chicken and this looks like an easy recipe! I need vto check your dipping sauces next.

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