Homemade Oven-Baked KFC-Style Chicken – Easy and Delicious!
Ingredients:
- 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Olive oil spray or melted butter
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour in the buttermilk.
Let them marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
2. Prepare the Coating
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
In a separate bowl, combine:
- flour
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- thyme
- basil
- salt
- black pepper
- cayenne (if using)
Mix well to create the seasoned flour coating.
3. Coat the Chicken
Remove each chicken piece from the buttermilk and gently shake off any excess.
Roll the chicken in the seasoned flour, making sure each piece is fully coated.
Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Make It Crispy
Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil spray, or brush each piece with a little melted butter.
This helps achieve that crispy, golden exterior.
5. Bake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through.
The chicken is ready when it is golden, crispy, and cooked through.
Enjoy!
This oven-baked version gives you that irresistible KFC-style crunch, while keeping the inside juicy and tender—without deep frying!
