Crispy Baked “Fried” Chicken Recipe You’ll Love

Crispy, golden baked fried chicken can turn an ordinary dinner into a mouthwatering celebration of flavor.

Southern kitchens have long treasured these delectable pieces of comfort.

Home cooks understand that perfecting this dish requires patience and smart technique.

Strategic seasoning makes all the difference in creating irresistible results.

Marinades infuse deep, rich notes that transport taste buds to culinary bliss.

Classic ingredients combined with modern twists guarantee a memorable meal everyone will adore.

You won’t believe how simple it is to create restaurant-quality chicken right in your own kitchen.

Let’s unlock the secrets to achieving that perfect, crunchy exterior that makes this recipe legendary.

Why Baked Fried Chicken Is Worth the Hype

• Create restaurant-quality fried chicken without deep-frying, reducing mess and extra oil while delivering incredible crunch and taste.
• Marinate ahead of time and bake in under an hour, making this recipe perfect for busy families seeking delicious, stress-free meals that everyone will love.
• Mix different spices in the coating or marinade to suit personal preferences, ensuring each bite matches your family's unique flavor profile.
• Achieve golden, crispy texture through baking instead of traditional frying, cutting down calories without sacrificing the satisfying crunch everyone craves.

Baked Fried Chicken Ingredients List

• Chicken Pieces: Juicy protein base that gets a crispy coating, boneless and skinless work best for even cooking.
• Buttermilk: Tenderizes chicken and helps coating stick, full-fat version provides richer flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing chicken's natural taste.

• Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds deep, complex flavor profile to the chicken, helps create aromatic coating.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, Cornflakes: Provides extra crunch and crispy texture, mixing different types creates interesting coating.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory depth and helps coating adhere to chicken, grated version works best.
• Cooking Spray: Helps create golden color and additional crispiness, helps prevent sticking.

Step-by-Step for Baked Fried Chicken

Step 1: Marinate and Flavor

• Buttermilk
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Whisk all ingredients in a spacious bowl. Submerge chicken pieces completely, ensuring every inch gets coated. Refrigerate for minimum one hour or overnight for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Station

Set oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Position wire rack on top and mist lightly with cooking spray to prevent chicken from sticking.

Step 3: Create Crunchy Coating

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Crushed cornflakes
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Paprika

Mix thoroughly to create a uniform crumbly texture.

Step 4: Transform Chicken

Drain chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip. Roll each piece generously in coating mixture, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange coated chicken on prepared wire rack. Spritz tops with cooking spray. Slide into preheated oven. Bake until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and exterior turns gorgeous golden brown, approximately 35-45 minutes.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Allow chicken to rest briefly. Plate with preferred side dishes and enjoy your crispy creation.

Tips for Baked Fried Chicken

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the buttermilk marinade for extra aromatic complexity and deeper taste profile.
• Crispy Coating Trick: Crush cornflakes slightly coarser for enhanced crunch and more textural interest in the breading layer.
• Temperature Check Technique: Use a digital meat thermometer to precisely monitor chicken's internal temperature, ensuring perfect doneness without drying out the meat.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace panko and cornflakes with gluten-free breadcrumbs and crushed gluten-free rice cereal for a celiac-friendly version.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust paprika and add cayenne pepper to customize heat intensity according to personal preference and family taste.

Reheating & Storing Baked Fried Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook at 375F for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even heating and crispy exterior.

Pairing Baked Fried Chicken with Sides

• Whip up a zesty honey mustard, creamy ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo to complement the crispy chicken's rich flavors and add an extra layer of deliciousness.
• Pair with a cool coleslaw, tangy cucumber salad, or creamy mac and cheese to balance the chicken's crisp texture and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Choose a crisp lager, hoppy IPA, or chilled sweet tea to cut through the richness of the baked chicken and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, chives, or green onions over the chicken to brighten the dish and add a pop of fresh herbal notes.

Baked Fried Chicken with a Twist

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace panko and cornflakes with gluten-free cornflake crumbs or crushed rice cereal. Use gluten-free Parmesan cheese to maintain crispy texture while accommodating wheat sensitivities.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour mixed with grated Parmesan. Reduce buttermilk and use heavy cream for lower carbohydrate content.
• Spicy Herb Variation: Add cayenne pepper and dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the coating mixture. Incorporate chopped fresh parsley or chives for additional flavor complexity.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Use salt-free seasoning blends instead of salt. Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar savory profile while reducing sodium content.

Baked Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern-style Crispy Fried Chicken delivers golden-brown perfection with crackling herb-seasoned crust and juicy meat inside. Comfort and flavor merge deliciously, promising a mouthwatering experience that brings family and friends together around a classic American dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) bone-in, skinless chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)

Coating and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Breading Ingredients:

• 1 cup (100 grams) panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (50 grams) crushed cornflakes
• ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Additional Ingredients:

• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

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Instructions

1. Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking buttermilk with aromatic seasonings including salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Submerge chicken pieces completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coverage, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight to enhance flavor absorption.
3. Position the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 400F (200C), preparing a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and topped with a wire cooling rack spritzed lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Craft a crispy exterior coating by combining panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, grated Parmesan cheese, and an extra dash of paprika in a shallow dish.
5. Extract chicken pieces from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip away, then meticulously coat each piece in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to create an even, adherent layer.
6. Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared wire rack, lightly mist the surface with cooking spray to promote golden browning, and transfer to the preheated oven.
7. Roast for 35-45 minutes, rotating the pan midway through cooking, until the chicken achieves a golden-brown crust and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for several minutes, enabling juices to redistribute, then serve alongside preferred accompaniments.

Notes

• Use buttermilk with at least 2% fat to ensure tender, juicy chicken that stays moist during baking.
• Mix breadcrumbs and cornflakes for an extra crispy, crunchy exterior that provides multiple texture layers.
• Avoid overcrowding the baking rack to help chicken pieces crisp evenly and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to help breading adhere better and create a crunchier surface.
• Spray chicken with oil before baking to enhance golden color and promote even browning without deep-frying.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is fully cooked without drying out.
• For gluten-free version, swap panko and cornflakes with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal.
• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container and reheat in oven to maintain crispiness, avoiding microwave.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg