Description
Crispy, golden oven fried chicken that captures the flavor and texture of traditional fried chicken without the deep-frying. This healthier, easy-to-make recipe features a crunchy coating and juicy interior by baking the chicken in the oven using a wire rack to ensure crispiness with less oil and mess.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6–8 chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)
- 1 cup buttermilk
Coating
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
For Baking
- 3 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rack: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Buttermilk Bath: Pour the buttermilk into a shallow bowl, which will be used to soak the chicken pieces.
- Mix Dry Coating: In another bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk, ensuring it is well-coated. Then dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing the coating firmly onto the surface for better adherence and crunch.
- Arrange on Rack: Place each coated chicken piece on the greased wire rack set over the baking sheet. This setup allows air circulation for even crisping.
- Drizzle with Fat: Evenly drizzle the melted butter or olive oil over the coated chicken pieces. This adds flavor and helps the coating brown nicely.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, turning the chicken once halfway through baking. The chicken is done when the coating is golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Using a wire rack promotes air circulation around the chicken, resulting in a crispier crust.
- Bone-in chicken pieces are preferred as they stay juicier compared to boneless cuts.
- For extra crunch, add crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs to the flour mixture before coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Meat & Mains
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American