Guiltless Easy Oven Fried Chicken

Satisfy your fried chicken cravings guilt-free with this Guiltless Easy Oven Fried Chicken recipe! Featuring tender, juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in tangy buttermilk, lightly spiced with optional hot sauce, and coated in a perfectly seasoned blend of panko and whole-wheat breadcrumbs, this dish delivers the crispy, golden goodness you love—without the excess oil. Baked to perfection on a wire rack, the chicken achieves a crunchy exterior while staying moist inside. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple pantry staples like paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano, this healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken is quick, delicious, and family-friendly. Perfect for weeknight dinners, pair it with your favorite dipping sauce or side dishes for a meal that feels indulgent but keeps it light.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0 nonstick cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, adding the hot sauce if desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 3

In a shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, whole-wheat breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.

Step 5

Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.

Step 6

Spray the tops of the chicken lightly but evenly with nonstick cooking spray to help the breadcrumbs crisp up during baking.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature should read 165°F or 74°C).

Step 8

Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with your favorite sides or dipping sauces.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1137.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1969.3

Total Fat 41.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 618.4mg	0%
Sodium 3456.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.8g	0%
Total Sugars 19.8g
Protein 248.0g	0%

Vitamin D 133.8IU	0%
Calcium 490.6mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 2450.7mg	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: 19.5%

Protein: 51.7%

Carbs: 28.8%