Crunchy Baked Fried Chicken

Satisfy your craving for crispy, golden fried chicken without the guilt with this irresistible Crunchy Baked Fried Chicken recipe! With a flavorful buttermilk marinade infused with garlic, paprika, and a hint of optional hot sauce, each piece of chicken is tenderized to perfection. The secret to its irresistible crunch? A coating of Parmesan-infused panko breadcrumbs, enhanced with baking powder for that light, crispy finish—all baked to golden perfection in the oven, not fried. This easy recipe requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor with a healthier twist. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it's a family-friendly dish served best with your favorite dipping sauce or sides. Your new favorite oven-fried chicken awaits!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks or thighs
• 2 cups Buttermilk
• 1 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons Paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0 Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoons Hot sauce (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and optional hot sauce. Mix well.

Step 2

Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 4

In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and baking powder.

Step 5

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off any excess marinade. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks.

Step 6

Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared rack. Make sure there is space between each piece for even cooking.

Step 7

Spray the tops of the chicken pieces lightly with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your crunchy baked fried chicken with your favorite dipping sauce or sides!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2185.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4170.1

Total Fat 166.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 1264.9mg	0%
Sodium 8199.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 298.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.0g
Protein 367.8g	0%

Vitamin D 253.8IU	0%
Calcium 2096.8mg	0%
Iron 28.1mg	0%
Potassium 3885.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.0%

Protein: 35.3%

Carbs: 28.7%