Low Fat Crispy Southern Fried Chicken Legs
Satisfy your craving for Southern comfort food with these Low Fat Crispy Southern Fried Chicken Legs—delightfully crunchy, flavorful, and guilt-free! This healthier take on a classic uses a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce marinade to tenderize the chicken legs and pack them with tangy, spicy flavor. Instead of frying, these chicken legs are oven-baked to golden perfection, with a seasoned coating of flour, cornstarch, and bold spices like paprika and cayenne pepper. A quick spray of cooking oil ensures irresistibly crispy results while keeping the fat content remarkably low. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this lighter Southern fried chicken recipe brings all the crunch and taste you love without the extra calories. Serve with classic sides like coleslaw or roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal!
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Ingredients
- 8 chicken legs
- 500 ml buttermilk
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g cornstarch
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 for coating cooking spray
Directions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken legs and turn to coat each one thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
Step 2
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and place a wire rack on top of it.
Step 3
In another large bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4
Remove the chicken legs from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure an even coating on all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
Step 5
Place the coated chicken legs on the prepared wire rack, making sure they do not touch each other.
Step 6
Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray to allow for crisping in the oven.
Step 7
Bake for 45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg registers 75°C (165°F).
Step 8
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your low fat crispy Southern fried chicken legs!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (2023.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2940.5 |
| Total Fat 125.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 39.6g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g | |
| Cholesterol 963.7mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6885.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 233.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 9.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 26.5g | |
| Protein 206.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 268.1IU | 0% |
| Calcium 746.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 21.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2954.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories