Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

This mouthwatering Crispy Oven Fried Chicken is easy to make, delicious to save, and a healthier alternative to traditional frying.  

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

This Oven Fried Chicken recipe is the perfect solution for those who love the taste of fried chicken without all the mess that comes with traditional frying. It’s also considered a healthier alternative thanks to the use of minimum oil. Using bone-in, skin-on chicken, this delicious dish packs a punch of flavor in every bite.

For this fried chicken recipe, I bake the chicken in the oven after soaking it in buttermilk and seasonings, which helps keep the chicken juicy. I also bred the chicken in a mixture of flour and potato flakes. Yes, I said potato flakes. The potato flakes help keep the crispy in the oven. If you don’t have potato flakes on hand, use breadcrumbs instead. 

Preparing it takes minimal effort with just a few simple ingredients. It’s an easy and healthy twist to a Southern favorite. 

Ingredients for Oven Fried Chicken

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces: I prefer to use a whole chicken that has been cut up to prepare this recipe. Skin-on, bone-in chicken will provide the best flavor and give the crispiest chicken coating. 
• Buttermilk: I like to soak my chicken in buttermilk for a while to help keep the chicken tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use regular milk or egg as your binder. 
• Seasonings: Soul food seasoning, or seasoned salt, is a combo of seasonings used to flavor the chicken and coating. 
• Breading: A combination of all-purpose flour and potato flakes will lead to crispy chicken.
• Oil Spray – you will need to spray your chicken with a little oil to give it the “fried” results. I use avocado oil as my spray.

How to make Oven Fried Chicken

In a large bowl, add chicken and 2 teaspoons of seasoning. Rub the seasoning into the chicken, then pour buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring they are fully coated in the buttermilk mixture. 

Cover and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably, overnight in the refrigerator.

When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a baking rack and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, potato flakes, and the remaining 3 teaspoons of soul food seasoning. Mix well to incorporate the seasonings into the flour mixture.

Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating on all sides.

Place the chicken pieces on the prepared baking rack and allow the chicken to sit for 15 minutes before placing it in the oven. This will allow the coating to stick. Then lightly spray the chicken with oil and place it in the oven.

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, flipping halfway. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is golden brown and crispy.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. 

Expert Tips

• Use a wire rack: Place a wire rack on your baking sheet before arranging the chicken pieces. This allows air to circulate around the chicken, promoting even browning and preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each piece of chicken enough space on the baking sheet to allow for proper airflow. Overcrowding can result in steaming instead of frying, producing less crispy chicken. If needed, use multiple baking sheets or bake in batches.
• Lightly spray with oil: Prior to baking, lightly spray the chicken with oil or cooking spray. This helps to achieve a crispier exterior without the need for excessive oil. Be sure to use a spray with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil.
• Let it rest: Allow the oven-fried chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the coating to set and helps retain the juiciness of the meat. It also prevents the chicken from becoming overly greasy.

How to Store Oven Fried Chicken

To Refrigerate: Place the cooled oven-fried chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Oven-fried chicken can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Reheating options: To enjoy the crispy texture of the oven-fried chicken when reheating, it is best to use the oven or an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken on a baking sheet, and reheat for about 10-15 minutes until it is heated through and crispy. Alternatively, an air fryer can be used following the manufacturer’s instructions.

How to Serve Fried Chicken

This chicken is best served warm. Serve it along these Southern favorites:

• Potato salad
• Mac and cheese 
• Baked beans
• Green beans

FAQs

If you have tried this recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

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4.84 from 6 votes

Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

This mouthwatering Crispy Oven Fried Chicken is easy to make, delicious to save, and a healthier alternative to traditional frying.  

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes minutes

Marinating Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 323kcal

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken 3-4 lbs cut into 8 pieces
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 5 teaspoons soul food seasoning or seasoned salt, separated
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup potato flakes
• Oil Spray

Instructions

• In a large bowl, add chicken pieces and 2 teaspoons of seasoning. Rub the seasoning into the chicken, then pour buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring they are fully coated in the buttermilk mixture. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably, overnight in the refrigerator.
• When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a baking rack and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, potato flakes, and the remaining 3 teapoons of soul food seasoning or seasoned salt. Mix well to incorporate the seasonings into the flour mixture.
• Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating on all sides.
• After arranging the chicken pieces on a baking rack, let them rest for 15 minutes to ensure the coating adheres before spraying them lightly with oil and baking in the oven.
• Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, flipping halfway. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
• Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. 

Notes

• Flip the chicken over halfway to ensure even cooking. 

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal