Baked fried chicken offers the crispy, flavorful texture of traditional fried chicken without the hassle and extra oil. Here’s a recipe to make it:
Baked fried chicken is a healthier twist on the classic Southern favorite, offering all the crispy, crunchy goodness of traditional fried chicken without the need for deep frying. This recipe delivers perfectly juicy and flavorful chicken with a crispy coating that’s baked to golden perfection.
To begin, gather your ingredients, which typically include chicken pieces (such as drumsticks, thighs, or breast quarters), buttermilk, flour, breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, and a variety of seasonings (such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder).
Start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator. The buttermilk not only adds flavor to the chicken but also helps tenderize it, resulting in juicy, succulent meat.
Next, preheat your oven to a moderate temperature (usually around 375°F or 190°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
In a shallow dish or bowl, mix together your dry ingredients, including flour, breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, and your desired seasonings. The seasoned flour mixture will form the crispy coating for the chicken.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off, then dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly on all sides. Press the coating firmly onto the chicken to ensure maximum crispiness.
Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re spaced apart to allow for even cooking. Drizzle or spray the chicken lightly with oil to help it crisp up in the oven.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for poultry.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that each bite is tender and flavorful.
Serve your baked fried chicken hot, alongside your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread, and enjoy the deliciously crispy, juicy goodness of this healthier twist on a classic comfort food favorite.
Ingredients:
- – 8 pieces of chicken (bone-in, skin-on, such as thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- – 1 cup all-purpose flour
- – 1 teaspoon salt
- – 1 teaspoon black pepper
- – 1 teaspoon paprika
- – 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- – 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- – 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- – 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- – 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- – 2 large eggs
- – 2 tablespoons milk
- – Cooking spray or olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and lightly coat it with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help the chicken cook evenly and become crispy.
2. In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to combine.
3. In another shallow dish or bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
5. Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack, leaving some space between each piece.
6. Once all the chicken pieces are coated and arranged on the rack, lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or drizzle them with olive oil. This will help them become crispy and golden brown.
7. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
8. Once cooked, remove the baked fried chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
9. Serve the baked fried chicken hot, alongside your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables.
Enjoy the delicious, crispy goodness of baked fried chicken without the guilt of deep frying! It’s a healthier alternative that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.