Learn how to make crispy, succulent chicken in the oven, without sacrificing flavor or texture! This simple recipe for Oven Fried Chicken is a winner on busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want delicious fried chicken without a lot of work.
I love serving this crazy good chicken with Deviled Egg Pasta Salad and warm Cornbread Muffins for an easy Southern-style dinner.
In This Post
Oven Fried Chicken: A Game Changer
I might be stirring things up a bit, but sometimes, that’s called for. As a true Southerner, I don’t think there is anything better than simple ingredients making crispy, juicy pieces of fried chicken. The thing is, sometimes, I just don’t have the time it takes to make traditional Southern fried chicken. So, what do I do? I oven fry it.
Can You Make Fried Chicken In The Oven?
Oh, you sure can, and it’s easy! The combination of the right breading, preheating the oven, using the right pan, and flipping the chicken during cooking ensures that crunch that we all yearn for in juicy and tender fried chicken. Oven cooking is much easier than deep-frying and makes clean-up effortless. This is Southern-style chicken done right!
Ingredients For This Recipe
- Chicken – chicken drumsticks, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders are great to use,
- Panko Bread Crumbs – seasoned or homemade breadcrumbs can be used.
- All-purpose Flour
- Butter and Olive Oil – or Avocado Oil
- Garlic Powder – onion powder can also be added.
- Montreal Seasoning – I use my homemade blend of Montreal Steak Seasoning but other seasoning mixes like paprika, lemon pepper, or Dan-O’s are also tasty.
- Egg
- Black Pepper and Salt
How To Season Fried Chicken
Start with salt and pepper. These are the foundational seasonings that provide basic flavor. After that, it’s all up to you. I like keeping things fairly simple with garlic powder and a homemade seasoning blend. You can change things by adding more spice with cayenne or citrus flavor with lemon pepper.
Easy Steps To Make Fried Chicken In The Oven
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put butter in a large cast iron skillet, then place in oven till the unsalted butter melts.
- In a pie pan or shallow dish, beat egg and water until mixed. Place breadcrumbs, and seasoning in a zip-top bag and shake until blended.
- Dip chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then into the dry ingredients. Press breadcrumbs into the chicken, then place into skillet with melted butter. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over chicken and place in the oven.
- Cook on one side, then turn each chicken leg and cook until golden brown. Chicken is done when an instant-read meat thermometer reads 165 degrees internal temperature.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chicken with additional kosher salt if desired.
Why Is My Chicken Not Crispy?
If your oven-fried chicken is not as crispy as you’d like, there are several possible reasons for this issue. Here are things to check:
- Make sure your oven is set to the right temp and is preheated.
- Coat the chicken evenly with a single layer of breadcrumb mixture.
- My best advice on baking crispy chicken drumsticks or chicken thighs is to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Flip the chicken pieces halfway through cooking so both sides get crispy.
- Make sure to put the chicken on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet so the oil doesn’t sit on it, making it soggy.
How To Store
Any leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat it in the oven or air fryer or serve it at room temperature.
What To Serve With Oven Fried Chicken
Whether it’s a salad or a side dish, there are so many dishes that go well with baked chicken in the oven:
Salads: Tomato Cucumber Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, Easy Spaghetti Salad.
Side Dishes: Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Southern Fried Corn, Skillet Green Beans.
More Chicken Recipes
If you tried this Oven Fried Chicken Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 8 chicken legs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs – crushed
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put butter in a large cast iron skillet then place in oven till butter melts.
- In a pie pan or shallow dish, beat egg and water until mixed.
- Place breadcrumbs, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and steak seasoning in a zip top bag and shake until blended.
- Dip chicken legs into egg mixture then into the dry ingredients. Press breadcrumbs into the chicken then place into skillet with melted butter. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over each piece of chicken then place in the oven.
- Cook for 30 minutes on one side then turn chicken and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- When done, remove skillet from oven and sprinkle chicken with additional kosher salt if desired. Serve hot or enjoy at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Make sure your oven is set to the right temp and is preheated.
- Coat the chicken evenly with the breadcrumb mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken firmly to ensure it adheres properly.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan. Leaving enough space between the chicken pieces allows for proper air circulation so that the chicken can get crispy.
- Make sure to flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time so that both sides get crispy.
- Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can reheat it in the oven or air fryer or serve at room temperature.
Nutrition
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KK
Excellent. Followed recipe exactly (except did not use a plastic bag for seasoning, used a bowl and made sure to roll chicken around in it.)
Great result, will make again.
Thanks, KK!
~Donya
Linda Frick
I used to make this for the family when I was growing up and helped with the cooking, as both parents worked. As I remember, it really made a mess of the oven. Could the pan be covered with foil to avoid grease spattering?
I’ve never test it but give it a try if you want.
Enjoy,
~Donya
Anne Marie
absolutely delicious! i have tried lots of fried chicken baked in oven recipies. this is by far the best. easy prep also.
Thanks so much! You’ve made my day, Anne Marie.
~Donya
Lynda
My husband does not like chicken legs. Will only eat white meat, preferably chicken tenders. Should I adjust the cooking time since the tenders cook so fast.
Yes, I would, and just check for doneness.
~Donya
Kelli Greenwood
Best chicken recipe ever! Thank you!
Thank you, Kelli! I am thrilled you liked it and so happy that you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Bob NY
Simply put, my wife loves when I serve chicken this way. Her favorite. Thanks very much for this easy to follow, great results recipe.
Thank you so much, Bob!
~Donya