Oven Fried Chicken

Toss out that box of Shake & Bake, this easy Oven Fried Chicken recipe is the best yet!

Succulent, tender chicken is coated in a perfectly seasoned panko coating, and then baked to crispy perfection. Yes, crispy!

If you crave fried chicken without all the grease and mess, our finger lickin’ recipe is just what you need!

It’s tough to beat good old fashioned fried chicken. It really is one of the ultimate comfort foods.

But all those calories! And the clean up. What to do with all that oil? Well worry not, one bite into this Oven Fried Chicken and you’ll be wishing you’d been cooking chicken this way all along.

What Cut Of Chicken to use for Baked Fried Chicken?

Our number one is bone-in skin on thighs. Dark meat is much more forgiving, and won’t get tough and dried out as easily as breasts. Also, bone-in chicken comes out more flavorful and juicy than boneless.

The skin helps to retain the moisture, and tastes delicious. However, you can remove it to reduce calories.

If breast is your preference, you will want to be very careful with the cooking time. Only cook to 165 degrees internal temperature. Past that it can become dried out.

Drumsticks and wings are also great options.

Helpful Tips

1. Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking: This ensures that it cooks more evenly, and reduces cooking time.
2. Don’t be skimpy with the seasoning: Herbs and spices are essential to tasty chicken.
3. Preheat the oven: Make sure to preheat your oven completely before placing the chicken inside. This helps to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
4. Use a wire rack: Placing a wire rack on top of a baking sheet allows air to circulate around the chicken, resulting in a more even and crispy texture.
5. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and a soggy crust.
6. Monitor the internal temperature: Use an instant read meat thermometer to make sure you bake the chicken to the right temperature.
7. Let it rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the meat moist and tender.

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken – Bone-in, skin-on thighs.
• Flour – All-purpose.
• Egg and buttermilk – For dredging.
• Panko – Our preferred breadcrumbs for this recipe.
• Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Olive oil

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

1. Prep: Gather three bowls. Add flour to the first. Whisk together egg and buttermilk in the second. In the third, combine panko, all of the seasoning, and oil until well mixed.

2. Dredge: Take each chicken thigh and first dredge it in the flour, then the egg mixture, then in the panko mixture. Arrange the thighs on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

3. Bake: Bake the chicken thighs in an oven preheated to 400°F for about 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches your desired doneness.

Baked Chicken Internal Temperature

If cooking chicken breast, the correct internal cooking temperature is 165°F. That is the minimum safe internal temperature, but beyond that it can become dry and tough.

We prefer cooking with dark meat. In that case, use the following guidelines, based on your preferred doneness:

165°F – Minimum safe temperature. Very moist, with a slightly chewy texture.
175°F – Moist and flavorful, with a more tender texture.
185°F – Slightly drier, but still moist. Fall off the bone tender.

Possible Serving Suggestions

Like regular fried chicken, our top choice is Mashed Potatoes. It’s a match made in heaven.

If you’re having a potluck or picnic, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad, Cowboy Caviar and Watermelon Salad pair great.

For some veggie sides, think roasted Asparagus or Broccoli, Creamed Spinach, Green Beans Almondine, or Southern Squash Casserole.

Other nice options are Cheese Grits, Cornbread, Steak Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Dirty Rice.

Leftovers and Storage

You can refrigerate leftover oven fried chicken in an airtight container or zip top bag for 3-4 days. Just remember that it won’t be as crispy when reheated.

Reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Enjoy your fried chicken night in lightened up style with this great recipe. Skip all that grease and labor, and let your trusty old oven do the work.

Pin or bookmark this great recipe so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

Oven Fried Chicken, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

Try these other great chicken recipes!
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Baked BBQ Chicken
Pollo Asado
Sheet Pan Chicken
Southern Braised Chicken
Chicken Cacciatore
Caldo de Pollo
Peruvian Chicken
Coq au Vin

Oven Fried Chicken

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This Oven Fried Chicken recipe results in tender, juicy chicken with a deliciously crispy crust. So much better than Shake & Bake!

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Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• ½ cup flour
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 2 cups panko
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 3 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Gather three bowls. Add flour to the first. Whisk together egg and buttermilk in the second. In the third, combine panko, all of the seasoning, and oil until well mixed.
3. Take each chicken thigh and first dredge it in the flour, then the egg mixture, then in the panko mixture. Arrange the thighs on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
4. Bake the chicken thighs in preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches your desired doneness (see note).

Notes

1. For chicken thighs, use an instant read thermometer to check doneness and use the following guidelines:
   165°F – Minimum safe temperature. Very moist, with a slightly chewy texture.
   175°F – Moist and flavorful, with a more tender texture.
   185°F – Slightly drier, but still moist. Fall off the bone tender. (This is our preferred doneness)

Nutrition Information

Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 536Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 198mgSodium 900mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 38g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.