Description
Enjoy the crispy, golden crunch of fried chicken without the excess oil! This baked “fried” chicken recipe delivers the perfect texture with a flavorful, seasoned coating—healthier, mess-free, and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or cooking spray
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
- Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Prepare the Coating:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top for even air circulation.
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, panko, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess buttermilk drip off.
- Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place coated chicken on the wire rack.
- Lightly brush with melted butter or spray with cooking spray for added crispness.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Spicy Kick: Increase cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade.
- Extra Crunch: Use crushed cornflakes instead of panko.
- Herb-Infused: Add dried oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- marinate time: 1-8 hours
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked fried chicken, crispy baked chicken, oven-fried chicken, healthy fried chicken, crunchy baked chicken