Here’s a crispy, oven-baked “KFC-style” chicken recipe—flavorful, juicy, and golden brown with all the herby-spicy goodness you love, but baked instead of fried!
🍗 Baked “KFC” Chicken (Crispy Oven Fried Style)
📝 Ingredients:
🍗 For the Chicken:
- 4–6 pieces of chicken (bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for marinade)
🍞 For the Breading:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
🧈 For Baking:
- 3–4 tbsp melted butter or neutral oil (for drizzling or brushing)
- Nonstick spray or cooking oil spray
🔪 Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Add chicken, toss to coat, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
2. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set a wire rack on top. Spray rack with oil (helps crisp the bottom).
3. Prepare the Breading:
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the flour, cornstarch, and spices.
4. Bread the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off.
- Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mix, pressing to coat thoroughly.
- Let coated chicken rest 10 minutes to help the breading stick.
5. Bake:
- Arrange chicken on the wire rack. Drizzle or brush the tops lightly with melted butter or oil.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional: Flip halfway through and lightly respray for extra crispness.
✅ Tips for Success:
- Use a rack: Keeps the bottom crispy.
- Cornstarch + flour: Mimics that iconic KFC crust.
- Let it rest: After coating, so the flour sticks better.
- Don’t crowd the pan: Airflow = crispiness.
🍽️ Serve With:
- Mashed potatoes & gravy
- Coleslaw
- Biscuits or cornbread
- Mac & cheese