Homemade KFC Chicken in the Oven
Crispy, flavorful, and oven-baked—this Homemade KFC Chicken brings fast-food comfort to your kitchen without the fryer. A healthier, easy-to-make favorite!
Ingredients
- - 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs
- - 1 cup buttermilk
- - 1 tsp salt
- - ½ tsp black pepper
- - 1 cup all-purpose flour
- - 2 cups crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs
- - 1 tsp paprika
- - 1 tsp garlic powder
- - 1 tsp onion powder
- - ½ tsp dried thyme
- - ½ tsp dried oregano
- - ½ tsp mustard powder
- - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- - 2 tbsp melted butter or cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, coat well, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a greased wire rack on top.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, crushed cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, mustard powder, and cayenne.
- Remove chicken from marinade. Coat in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place chicken on the rack. Drizzle with melted butter or spray with oil.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken: flour → egg → flour again.
- Air fryer option: cook at 375°F for 25–30 mins, flipping halfway.
- Gluten-free? Use crushed gluten-free cereal and GF flour.
- Air fryer option: cook at 375°F for 25–30 mins, flipping halfway.
- Gluten-free? Use crushed gluten-free cereal and GF flour.