Buttermilk Oven Fried Chicken

This Buttermilk Oven “Fried” Chicken recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken while still delivering that satisfyingly crispy texture and delicious flavor. By baking the chicken instead of frying it, you can enjoy a lighter dish without sacrificing taste or texture. The combination of buttermilk and spices creates a flavorful coating that seals in moisture, resulting in juicy, tender chicken with a crispy exterior.

Ingredients:

• Chicken: Cut into pieces for even cooking and easy serving.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the breading mixture.
• Chili garlic, sugar, and paprika: Add a flavorful kick and aromatic depth to the coating.
• Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and helps the breading adhere.
• Eggs: Bind the breading mixture together for better coating.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Help the chicken achieve a crispy texture when baked.
• Olive oil: Used for drizzling over the chicken before baking.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to the specified temperature.
2. In a shallow baking dish, combine the flour, chili garlic, sugar, paprika, and any other desired spices or seasonings.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, baking powder, and baking soda until smooth.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it thoroughly in the flour mixture. For extra crispy chicken, repeat the dipping and coating process.
5. Place the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet or baking dish, leaving space between each piece. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken.
6. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for the specified time, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through.
7. Serve the oven-fried chicken hot and enjoy its delicious flavor and crispy texture.

Tips:

1. For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk overnight before coating it with the flour mixture.
2. Experiment with different spices and seasonings to customize the flavor of the coating to your liking.
3. To ensure even cooking, arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet, with some space between them.
4. For a healthier option, use skinless chicken pieces and whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
5. Serve the oven-fried chicken with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.