Easy Southern Oven Fried Chicken

Crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor, this Easy Southern Oven Fried Chicken brings all the comfort of classic fried chicken without the deep-frying mess. Marinated in tangy buttermilk and seasoned with a kick of optional spices like cayenne and hot sauce, each bite is juicy and tender on the inside with the perfect crunch on the outside, thanks to a seasoned flour coating and oven-baking technique. Melted butter under the wire rack delivers that crave-worthy crispiness while keeping it lighter than traditional frying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this hassle-free recipe pairs beautifully with classic Southern sides like creamy mashed potatoes, refreshing coleslaw, or warm cornbread. Indulge in the irresistible charm of Southern cooking made easy!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or drumsticks)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (optional)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0 as needed cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce (if using). Submerge the chicken pieces in the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for best flavor and tenderness.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large resealable bag or shallow dish, mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.

Step 5

Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack. Distribute the unsalted butter in small pats around the baking sheet underneath the rack; as the butter melts, it will help crisp up the chicken.

Step 6

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Flip each piece over carefully and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.

Step 7

Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Easy Southern Oven Fried Chicken with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1775.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3808.9

Total Fat 231.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 959.7mg	0%
Sodium 5429.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 225.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.0g	0%
Total Sugars 25.0g
Protein 205.4g	0%

Vitamin D 298.8IU	0%
Calcium 752.2mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 2901.5mg	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: 54.7%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 23.7%