Baked Fried Chicken

Crispy Baked “Fried” Chicken

A healthier twist on classic fried chicken—extra crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and oven-baked with a fraction of the oil!

🍗 Ingredients (Serves 4-6):

For the Chicken:

• 4 lbs chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts)

• 1 cup buttermilk (*or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar, rested 5 mins*)

• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for tang)

• 1 tsp salt

For the Coating:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice)

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano

• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan (secret crisp booster!)

For Baking:

• ¼ cup melted butter or olive oil

🔥 Instructions:

1. Marinate Chicken:

   • Soak chicken in buttermilk + hot sauce + salt for at least 1 hour (or overnight for maximum tenderness).

2. Prep Coating:

   • Mix flour, panko, spices, and Parmesan in a shallow dish.

3. Dredge Chicken:

   • Remove chicken from buttermilk (let excess drip off).

   • Coat each piece in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to adhere.

   • For extra crunch, dip back into buttermilk, then coat again in flour (double-dredge!).

4. Bake to Perfection:

   • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   • Place chicken on the sheet, drizzle with melted butter/oil.

   • Bake 45-50 mins (flip halfway) until golden and internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).

5. Optional Broil:

   • Broil 2-3 mins at the end for deeper color (watch closely!).

💡 Pro Tips:

• Crispiest Results: Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to elevate chicken.

• Air Fryer Option: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 mins, flipping once.

• Gluten-Free? Swap flour for almond flour + crushed pork rinds.

• Serving Ideas: Pair with honey mustard, coleslaw, or waffles!

Why This Works:

• The buttermilk tenderizes while the panko-Parmesan mix mimics deep-fried crunch.

• Baking at high heat + butter creates a “fried” texture without the grease.

Perfect for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing dinner! 🍗✨

Want a spicy Nashville Hot version? Brush with cayenne-infused butter post-bake!