Description
Enjoy the crispy, golden goodness of fried chicken without the guilt! This Baked Fried Chicken recipe uses a clever oven-baking technique to achieve that crunchy, flavorful coating you loveโwithout the deep fryer. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 lbs (about 8 pieces) bone-in, skin-on chicken (drumsticks or thighs work best)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crunch)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Marinate:
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Add the chicken to the mixture, ensuring itโs fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Bake:
- Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack. Lightly drizzle or brush olive oil or melted butter over the top of each piece to help with browning.
- Bake for 35โ45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ยฐF (74ยฐC) and is golden and crispy.
- Serve:
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces or sides!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, flip the chicken halfway through baking.
- If you donโt have buttermilk, substitute with milk and 1 tbsp of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken pieces, but reduce the baking time accordingly (20โ25 minutes).