Oven Fried Chicken Recipe (Super Crispy & So Easy!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published January 17, 2019. Updated April 20, 2020

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This Oven Fried Chickenhas all the flavors of the deep fried chicken without all the extra fat and oily mess! These chicken thighs are coated with a seasoned Panko and baked until golden brown and perfectly crisp! You wouldn’t believe how close they come to the real thing. This is how you do comfort food.

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe (Super Crispy & So Easy!) - Cooking Classy (1)

Deliciously Satisfying Baked Fried Chicken

I’ve always loved deep-fried chicken, but we all know it’s loaded with fat and calories. This version skips the frying and is coated with lightly oiled panko, then cooked in a hot oven instead of a pot of vegetable oil.

It’s deliciously flavorful and you’ll be swooning over the crispy breading and perfectly tender chicken.

I tested several different ingredients for the coating. I’ve tried melba toast, cornflakes, and Panko, and Panko is my favorite here. Then, I opted to leave out the flour for dredging because it works fine without it here, the egg whites are the perfect “glue” on their own.

I added some spices and herbs to the Panko to build flavor and mimic color (the paprika helps give it a nice orange shade). And you’ll love the light kick from the cayenne.

And this crispy oven fried chicken really isn’t difficult to make. The hardest part here will just be waiting for it to bake in the oven!

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Oven Fried Chicken Ingredients

The best part about this oven baked fried chicken recipe is that is requires just pantry staples!

  • Panko bread crumbs
  • Olive oil
  • Seasonings(paprika, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, S&P)
  • Egg whites
  • Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs(trimmed of fat)

How to Remove the Skin from Chicken Thighs

Removing the skin is actually really easy (and necessary for this recipe, you don’t want the extra oils). The skin mostly just pulls away then in areas where it sticks trim away with a sharp knife (HERE is a quick video that shows how).

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How to Make Oven Fried Chicken

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a large wire rack with non-stick cooking spray and place in an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.
  • Pour Panko into a shallow mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss and rub with fingertips to evenly moisten.

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  • Sprinkle in paprika, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste then toss.
  • In a separate shallow mixing bowl whisk together egg whites, salt and pepper until slightly frothy.

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  • Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dip both sides of chicken in egg white then transfer to Panko mixture and dredge both sides in mixture while pressing crumbs to adhere, sprinkle some over top as well and press.

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  • Transfer to prepared wire rack spacing evenly apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through (center of thickest portion should register 165ºF on an instant read thermometer), about 50 minutes. Serve warm.

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Can I Use Boneless Thighs or Chicken Breasts?

I personally prefer the bones because they add flavor, plus they take longer to cook with bone-in so you end with a really crispy coating that has a nice golden brown color. But boneless thighs or chicken breasts will work fine too.

How Long do You Cook Oven Fried Chicken?

  • Chicken thighs with bones (about 5 – 6 oz each, after removing skin) will take about 50 minutes at 400 degrees F.
  • If using boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each), cook time should be about 20 – 25 minutes.
  • Boneless thighs (about 4 – 5 oz) should take about 25 – 30 minutes.

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Can I Use Regular Breadcrumbs?

No, I don’t recommend using regular breadcrumbs for this oven fried chicken recipe. Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, and they’re what make this baked fried chicken so crispy.

What to Serve with Fried Chicken

This healthy fried chicken pairs nicely with your favorite side dishes. A few of my favorite fried chicken sides include:

  • Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Roasted Vegetables (or this other blend)
  • Apple Cranberry and Almond Coleslaw
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Steamed veggies (asparagus, green beans, broccoli, etc.)

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Tips for Making Oven Fried Chicken

  • If your oven generally browns more than average and you find the Panko coating is getting darker than you’d like, you can drape a sheet of foil over the chicken when needed and continue to bake through.
  • This baked breaded chicken is best enjoyed right away as it loses its crispness over time.
  • If you love heat, feel free to add more cayenne pepper.

More Comforting Chicken Dishes to Make:

  • Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
  • The Best Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Marsala
  • Chicken Piccata
  • Skillet Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe (Super Crispy & So Easy!) - Cooking Classy (10)

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Oven Fried Chicken

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All the flavors of the deep fried chicken without all the extra fat and oily mess. These chicken thighs are coated with a seasoned Panko and baked until golden brown and perfectly crisp!

Servings: 8

Prep20 minutes minutes

Cook50 minutes minutes

Ready in: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a large wire rack over an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet, spray wire rack with non-stick cooking spray.

  • Pour Panko into a shallow mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss and rub with fingertips to evenly moisten.

  • Add paprika, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste then toss.

  • In a separate shallow mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites, salt and pepper until slightly frothy.

  • Working with one pieces of chicken at a time, dip both sides of chicken in egg white then transfer to Panko mixture and dredge both sides in mixture while pressing crumbs to adhere, sprinkle some crumbs over top as well and press.

  • Transfer to prepared wire rack spacing evenly apart.

  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through (center of thickest portion should register 165ºF on an instant read thermometer), about 50 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

  • If your oven generally browns more than average and you find the Panko coating is getting darker than you'd like, you can drape a sheet of foil over the chicken when needed and continue to bake through.
  • This method will work for boneless thighs or boneless chicken breasts too. Cook time will be about half but as always test to 165 degrees F in center for doneness.

Nutrition Facts

Oven Fried Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 282Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 96mg32%

Sodium 219mg10%

Potassium 304mg9%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 190IU4%

Calcium 37mg4%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Oven Fried Chicken

Author: Jaclyn

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe (Super Crispy & So Easy!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to getting crispy chicken? ›

Double Dredge

The best way to ensure the breading will stay on the chicken is to double down on the flour. This creates a super thick, extra crispy coating on your chicken. After dredging the chicken in seasoned flour, dip it into an egg wash and place it back into the flour.

How do you make chicken skin super crispy? ›

Put a little schmear of vegetable oil and because there is no water in it, the heat from the oven immediately begins to crisp up the skin and you don't end up with steam coming off the skin,” he says. Slow and steady when roasting.

Does cornstarch or baking powder make fried chicken crispy? ›

My not-so-secret tip to the best fried chicken is a combination of FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER. When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.)

How do you keep chicken skin crispy in the oven? ›

If you crank your oven to at least 450°F and position a rack in the top third (the hottest part) of your oven and slide some chicken in there skin-side-up, the skin will be crisp by the time the chicken is cooked through. To help it out, baste it a couple times while it roasts with pan-drippings, butter, or oil.

What ingredient makes chicken skin crispy? ›

In order to get crispy wings without frying, you need to dry out the skin. That's where a coating of baking powder and salt comes in. The baking powder and salt help break down the proteins in the skin, draw moisture to the surface, and also aid in browning.

What is the secret to keeping fried chicken crispy? ›

Bake in a high-temperature oven for around 5-8 minutes or until the coating is crispy once more. If you wish for the meat to remain crisp for a few hours following the cooking, lower the temperature to 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) and keep the chicken to rest until prepared to cook it.

What oil is best for crispy chicken skin? ›

Benefits: With a high smoke point and neutral flavor, canola oil is excellent for frying chicken. As an added bonus, it has high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which makes it healthier than other options.

Is baking soda or baking powder better for crispy chicken? ›

That trick is a sprinkling of baking powder, and it'll get you the crispiest, crackliest bites of fatty, salty skin imaginable, whether you're cooking just one thigh, a plate of wings, or an entire bird. Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking.

Does butter or oil make chicken skin crispy? ›

Ideally, pan-fried chicken will come off the heat tender and juicy on the inside, and golden and crispy on the outside -- but the perfect crunchy skin won't happen in just any cooking fat. If you want a tasty flavor, go with butter, but if you want your ideal texture, opt for a cooking oil instead.

What can I use instead of baking powder to make chicken crispy? ›

Substitute each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder in the recipe with 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) vinegar. Summary: Each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder can be replaced with a 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and a 1/2 teaspoon vinegar.

What happens when you fry chicken with cornstarch? ›

When paired with all-purpose flour, cornstarch helps prevent gluten development, which makes the flour coating crispier, and absorb moisture (from the frying and the chicken), which also means a crispier coating. If you already have a favorite fried chicken recipe, try replacing a quarter of the flour with cornstarch.

Which is more crispy flour or cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch typically makes for a crispier finish than flour. Cornstarch absorbs moisture from the food and expands, giving deep-fried foods a crispy coating. When the food is fried, the moisture cooks out of the cornstarch, leaving a crackly, puffy coating on the outside.

Why didn't my chicken get crispy in the oven? ›

Chicken skin needs to be dry in order for it to crisp when cooked. Whether or not you rinse the chicken before prepping, you need to make sure the skin is as dry as possible. After removing the chicken from the package (and washing it, if that is your preferred method) pat each piece dry with paper towels.

Why is my chicken not getting crispy in the oven? ›

Low Temperature: Baking chicken at too low a temperature can result in a lack of crispiness. To achieve crispy chicken skin, bake the chicken at a higher temperature, typically between 375°F to 425°F (190°C to 220°C), depending on the recipe and the size of the chicken pieces.

Why is my crispy chicken not crispy? ›

If your oil temp is too high, your fried chicken will be scorched on the outside with meat that is undercooked. If the oil is too cool, your chicken will be greasy and will lack the golden-brown crispy exterior you want.

How do Chinese get their chicken so crispy? ›

The chicken is then air-dried for 10 to 12 hours before being flash-fried, then oil-poached. The skin gets its signature crispiness from 10 to 12 minutes of basting with scalding hot oil right before serving.

What's the secret to good fried chicken? ›

The secret to succulent fried chicken starts with a marinade or brine, which keeps the chicken at its peak juiciness. Fried chicken traditionalists generally choose a buttermilk marinade while others swear by a brine, which is a mixture of sugar, salt and sometimes spices dissolved into water.

Is baking powder or soda better for crispy chicken? ›

It may sounds unappealing, but coating chicken wings in seasoned baking powder is what makes the skin super crispy. You won't taste it in the end results, so long as you use aluminium-free. To be clear, make sure you use baking powder, NOT baking soda, because there is a big difference!

Why isn't my chicken coming out crispy? ›

The breading on your chicken is probably absorbing oil. There are three possible problems: either the oil isn't hot enough when you start frying, you're putting too much chicken into the pot at one time, or you aren't allowing the oil's temperature to recover between batches.

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