The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (2025)

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This easy gluten free fried chicken recipeis seriously the best. You will be hooked with one bite of this crispy, juicy, gluten-free fried chicken with tapioca starch! Follow all of my tips and tricks to get the best gluten free fried chicken ever!

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (1)

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When the owner, Ari, of Proposition Chicken in San Francisco, told me he was going to share his exclusive gluten free fried chicken recipe with us, I thought about how incredible this was. How often do you feel safe eating fried chicken at a restaurant? It is one of those things I truly miss.

Why This Recipe Is Great:

  1. This recipe is made with tapioca starch and no flour, so it is naturally gluten free.
  2. It gives you every step to make restaurant-quality fried chicken.
  3. This recipe will bring back those memories of real crispy fried chicken. The kind your grandma made!
  4. You can also use this recipe to make gluten free chicken tenders and nuggets too!!

Comfort foods like these rarely happen in the gluten-free realm; if they do, they are not very good. (Looking at this photo of gluten free fried chicken is really making me hungry!)

Ingredient Notes:

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (2)
  • Chicken – You can use bone-in or boneless chicken cut for this recipe.
  • Tapioca starch – This is the hero of the recipe. It is grain-free and adds the crispiest of coatings!
  • Buttermilk – This adds flavor and juiciness. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • Red wine vinegar – Most vinegar is gluten free, but always read the labels!
  • Cayenne – This adds a hint of spice; it is optional.
  • Oil – One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an oil to use is the oil’s smoking point. The smoking point is that moment when the oil is no longer glossy and shimmery looking, and it starts to smoke. I recommend using avocado oil or canola oil. If you use Canola, be sure to check Is Canola Gluten Free.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

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Step 1: Add all the buttermilk, red wine vinegar, and cayenne pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients with a whisk until the mixture is frothy. This should take about 2 minutes.

Add the raw chicken to the liquid ingredients, cover the bowl, and coat it with the buttermilk mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Step 2: Soak the chicken in the buttermilk overnight or for 12 hours in the refrigerator. This makes the meat more tender and juicy when you fry it.

Remove the chicken and dip it into the tapioca starch seasoning blend. Toss the chicken to coat it.

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (4)

Step 3: In a Dutch oven or large 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the oil to 350-375º F. Use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature. Gently drop the chicken into the hot oil. Be careful of the hot oil spattering out of the pan!

HINT: I recommend using canola or avocado oil because they are good at high heat. Do NOT use olive oil or other low smoke point oils or the flavor will turn out rancid.

Step 4: Use long metal tongs to flip the chicken over so both sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary by the cut of chicken you use and whether it is bone-in or boneless. Be sure the internal temperature of the meat is 165º F.

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (5)

If you want to try one of my old Texan favorites…you need to try this easy Gluten Free Chicken Fried Steak recipe!! If you make chicken nuggets with this recipe, you can use them for my Gluten Free Orange Chicken!

Easy Frying Tip:

Our outdoor Weber grill has a side burner attached. I use this to make my fried chicken. I hate when hot oil splatters all over my kitchen; that smell permeates EVERYWHERE! Avoid all of this if you can, and cook this outside.

Recipe FAQ:

Is there gluten in fried chicken?

Unfortunately, traditional fried chicken does contain gluten. Not only do they coat the chicken in flour, but the fryers in many restaurants become contaminated because they also fry other gluten foods in the fryer.

What types of gluten free flour can you use to make this recipe?

The best gluten free flours to use for frying chicken and other savory dishes like eggplant parmesan are Tapioca Starch (the star of this easy chicken recipe), Cassava Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour Blend (in the red label bag), and Gluten Free Bisquick.

How long do I fry it in oil?

The length of time to cook fried chicken depends on whether you cook it in a frying pan, air fryer, or deep frying. When cooked, you want to ensure the chicken’s internal temperature is 165º F.

A deep fryer like this recipe calls for takes about 18 minutes. Cooking this recipe in a skillet with an inch of oil will take about 25 minutes. You will need to turn the chicken often so all sides get crispy.

Can you make this recipe in an air fryer?

I have not tried this recipe in an air fryer yet, but one of my readers has tried it. She said the fried chicken would take around 25 minutes to cook in an air fryer. This Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks Recipe is made a little differently but tastes amazing!

Do you need to use buttermilk in this recipe?

Buttermilk definitely adds to the flavor profile of this recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk, why not make some with milk and lemon juice?

For this recipe, use regular milk and add one tablespoon of lemon juice. Let it sit for 10 minutes then you are ready to go :-). If you want delicious baked fried chicken, try this Gluten Free Buttermilk Oven Fried Chicken recipe!

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (6)

Sides To Serve With Fried Chicken:

  • Deli-Style Gluten Free Macaroni Salad
  • Loaded Baked Potato Salad
  • Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes with this easy Gluten Free Gravy
  • The Best Kale and Apple Salad

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (7)

Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe

Sandi Gaertner

This is thebest gluten free fried chicken recipe ever. One bite of this crispy, juicy gluten free fried chicken and you will be hooked!

Love this recipe?Give it a star rating!

4.74 from 174 votes

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The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (9)

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Gluten Free Dinner Recipes, Meal Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 566 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 8-10 pieces Bone-in chicken of your choice
  • 1 cup buttermilk (*see note)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • dash of salt and pepper to taste

Prep

Cook

  • 2 cups hot oil for frying (*see note)

Instructions

Marinade

  • Put all ingredients (except chicken) into a bowl and whisk until fluffy.

  • Put the raw chicken into a large dish and pour the marinade over the butchered chicken.

    The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (11)

  • Move chicken around to make sure all of the raw chicken is all covered in the marinade.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours.

Prep

  • Drain marinaded chicken in a large strainer.

  • Place chicken in the tapioca flour and toss it around to cover the whole piece of chicken.

  • Let the chicken rest 2-3 minutes on a baking pan.

  • Gently heat oil in a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet. If you have a deep fryer, that is great! I would use that instead. The oil should be 350-375 F degrees before adding the chicken pieces.

  • Fry the chicken for 10 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken to cook the other side another 10 minutes. (Do this if you are not fully submerging your chicken in the hot oil. After you cook each side of the chicken, check the internal temperature of 165 F degrees. The total cook time would be around 20 minutes, but it depends on the cut of chicken you are using. If you are deep frying the chicken it will take less time for your chicken to cook.

    The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (12)

  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Notes

  1. Many ask if you can use cornstarch instead of tapioca, this should be okay.
  2. If you do not have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
  3. If you like your chicken extra crispy, double-dip it! After doing one dip in the tapioca starch, put back into the buttermilk, then redip into the tapioca starch.
  4. Use an oil that is made to tolerate high heat. Canola, avocado, and coconut oil are all great high heat oils for frying. (Note if you use coconut oil it will impart a flavor where canola and avocado oil are tasteless.)
  5. You want your hot oil temperature to reach between 350-375 F degrees before adding the chicken.
  6. This fried chicken will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. To reheat, put onto a baking sheet, cover with foil (to prevent burning the crispy coating), and bake in the oven at 325 F degrees for 20 minutes. Check to see if it is heated all the way through.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 566kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 57gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 32mgPotassium: 41mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 76IUCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

Fearless Dining

Your go-to haven for gluten-free living, where I share hundreds of delicious, family-friendly recipes, helpful gluten-free resources, and allergen-friendly options for everyone!

The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (13)
The Best Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe Ever! | Fearless Dining (2025)

FAQs

Which gluten-free flour is best for frying? ›

Gluten-free chefs swear by millet flour for breading pan fried meats and fish. It adds a light, almost sweet flavor and crumbly texture to foods, and is full of protein!

What is a gluten-free flour alternative for fried chicken? ›

I have found that the best type of gluten-free flour to make fried chicken is rice flour. I use a cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. My preferred brand is Pillsbury gluten-free, but you can also use Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1, Better Batter, or King Arthur Measure For Measure.

Is KFC extra crispy chicken gluten-free? ›

But the frying oil at KFC is a canola and soybean oil blend, which is not considered “allergenic.” All of their chicken and even their fries contain wheat. Only select sides and the sauces are gluten-free. For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.

Does KFC do gluten-free chicken? ›

KFC. KFC specializes in breaded, fried chicken, so it's not much of a surprise that their gluten-free options are limited. The only options on the menu here are sides, including their green beans and corn.

What is the secret to using gluten-free flour? ›

Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

What is the best oil for frying gluten free? ›

Here are the ABC's of gluten free frying:

The best types of fat for frying are oils with a high smoke point (the temperature at which the oil starts to smoke when it is heated up) and a high proportion of simple, unsaturated fatty acids such as palm kernel oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil or clarified butter.

What's the healthiest flour to fry chicken in? ›

Cooks often prefer frying with rice flour because it has a finer grain than wheat flour, resulting in a delicate, crispy crust. It also absorbs less oil. However brown rice flour has the same properties and texture, but since it's a whole grain, it's a healthier option than ordinary rice flour.

What is the closest gluten free flour to all-purpose flour? ›

Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor.

What can you use instead of breading for fried chicken? ›

Nuts Or Seeds

Sunflower seeds, almonds, and sesame seeds are all great breadcrumb alternatives. Chop larger nuts finely in a food processor. Seeds like sesame are already small enough and can be used as is. Use a variety of nuts as a coating for chicken, fish, or pork; just pulse them finely so they will stick.

Does Chick-Fil-A Crispy Chicken have gluten? ›

Yes, all Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets are gluten-free. (The breaded, fried chicken nuggets are not gluten-free.)

Can you fry with xanthan gum? ›

An effective way to minimise the oil absorption during deep-fat frying is to add xanthan gum in low concentration (0.5-1%) to the coating system (Varela and Fiszman 2011[12]).

Is Popeyes red beans and rice gluten-free? ›

Review. My nine year old daughter has Celiac Disease. While traveling through small town at lunch time, we realized that gluten free options were very limited. Popeye's has a very limited gluten free menu, but my daughter ordered red beans and rice and loved it!

What fast food is safe for celiacs? ›

While there aren't many chains that offer menus specific to this dietary requirement, many of the best gluten-free fast food restaurants are spots you're already familiar with. Places like Taco Bell, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Wendy's have options that are safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Does Tyson make gluten-free chicken? ›

Read 151 Reviews Same page link. Our 100% all natural gluten free chicken nuggets are made with tender, white meat chicken and coated in a savory rice flour based breading.

Does McDonald's do gluten-free? ›

The items on our menu that are free from ingredients containing gluten include our French Fries, which are cooked in dedicated fryers using a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil; Hash Browns; Fruit Bags; Carrot Sticks and Shaker Side Salad® with Balsamic Dressing; as well as some McFlurry® desserts, such as the Crunchie and ...

What gluten-free flour is best for batter? ›

Fava bean flour, which is high in protein and easy to use, helps to thicken and bind batter. It provides a golden, crisp finish. Rice flour supports a crisp texture, and, compared with other gluten free flours, gives a lighter batter coating.

Which alternative flour is best for frying? ›

Good substitutes for frying include cornstarch, potato starch, and rice flour. Alternatives in baking include rice flour, chestnut flour, and all-purpose flour. Keto-friendly substitutes include almond flour, chia seed flour, psyllium husk powder, hazelnut flour, coconut flour and flaxseed meal.

What gluten-free flour is most like all-purpose flour? ›

In contrast to tapioca flour, which is made from a starchy liquid extracted from the cassava root, cassava flour is made by grating and drying the whole root. This flour is gluten-, grain- and nut-free. It's most similar to white flour and can easily be used in recipes calling for all-purpose flour.

What is the best flour for deep frying? ›

Rice flour and cornstarch work particularly well because they fry up crispier than wheat flour. They also absorb less moisture and fat during the frying process, making the products less greasy.

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