KFC-Style Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken (Print version)
Juicy buttermilk chicken with a crunchy seasoned coating, baked on a rack until golden and crisp without deep frying.
# Ingredients:
For the marinade
01 -
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks and thighs, about 3 lb (1.4 kg)
02 -
2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1 tablespoon hot sauce
05 -
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
For the seasoned coating
06 -
1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
07 -
1/2 cup (65 g) cornstarch
08 -
1 teaspoon baking powder
09 -
2 teaspoons paprika
10 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
12 -
1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 -
1 teaspoon dried basil
14 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 -
1 teaspoon white pepper
16 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 -
1 teaspoon celery salt
18 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
19 -
Neutral oil spray or 3 tablespoons melted butter, for coating
# Instructions:
01 -
Whisk the buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken, turn to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
02 -
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack well with oil spray.
03 -
In a wide shallow dish, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, white pepper, black pepper, celery salt, and cayenne.
04 -
Lift each piece from the marinade and let the excess drip off. Press firmly into the flour mixture until fully coated. Set on the rack and rest for 10 minutes.
05 -
Spray the chicken generously with oil, covering any dry flour spots. Bake for 20 minutes, carefully turn the pieces, spray again if needed, and bake 20-25 minutes more.
06 -
The chicken is done when the crust is deep golden and the thickest part reaches 165°F. Rest on the rack for 5 minutes before serving.
# Good to know:
01 -
Marinating overnight gives the juiciest texture.
02 -
Use similar-size pieces so they cook evenly.
03 -
The wire rack is important for crisping the bottom crust.