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Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken

Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken —superbly seasoned juicy chicken thighs fried to crispy perfection in the oven. Southern fried chicken made easy.

crispy oven fried chicken on a platter

Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken is an easy southern fried chicken recipe made in the oven. This cooking method produced the same crispy results as deep fried chicken with a fraction of the oil. The chicken remains juicy and moist while to skin and breading becomes amazingly crunchy. Both are seasoned perfectly with a blend of spices and a hint of hot sauce.

Ingredients and equipment

chicken thighs on a tray, eggs and hot sauce in a dish, and seasoned flour in another dish

Chicken thighs
All-purpose flour
Salt
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Mustard powder
Onion powder
Milk
Eggs
Hot sauce
Canola oil
Large baking tray with rack
Thermometer (affil link)

This recipe is not intended to be a "healthy or healthier" version of fried chicken. It's exactly as it says, oven-fried. While it's not exactly deep-fried, it still requires a fair amount of cooking oil. I have tried this recipe just cooking spray and it works. It does not render a super crunchy bird but it will have a little crisp and nice flavor from the seasoning.

Crispy oven-fried chicken instructions

egg dipped chicken thigh

You don't need breadcrumbs or any other coating besides an egg dip and seasoned flour. I'm using high temperature and cooking oil to achieve the same crispness as stovetop fried chicken. To start, preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Rinse and pat dry your chicken thighs. Season the meat with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne.

dredging egg dipped chicken thigh in flour

Prepare your work station with two mix bowls. Beat together, eggs, milk, and hot sauce in one and flour with remaining spices in another.

flour dipped chicken thigh

Dip the thighs into the egg dip followed by the flour.

oil coated chicken thighs

Place the battered thighs on a sheet pan and coat with the canola oil on all sides.

crispy oven fried chicken on a platter

Bake skin side up for 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.

Options for healthier oven-fried chicken

You can still make incredible healthier chicken without using cooking oil and using leaner meat. The preparation remains the same, only the cooking method changes.

  • Use cooking spray instead of cooking oil. Eliminate the cooking oil and spray the chicken pieces with cooking spray.
  • Try leaner chicken. Use chicken breast with the skin and excess fat removes.
  • Invest in an air fryer. No oil required for crispy chicken when using an air fryer.

Recipes to pair with crispy fried chicken

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Sweet Potato Fries
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

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Print Recipe

Prepare yourself for a wonderful treat with this crispy oven-fried chicken recipe. Enjoy perfectly crisp southern fried chicken with less effort.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

  • 2 lb chicken thighs about 9 pieces
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 c milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 c canola oil

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Rinse and pat dry your chicken thighs. Season the meat with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

  • Beat together the eggs, milk, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl mix flour with 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon each paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

  • Dip the thighs into the egg dip followed by the flour. Place the battered thighs on a sheet pan and coat with the canola oil on all sides. Baked skin side up for 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.

Calories: 663 kcal | Carbohydrates: 27 g | Protein: 32 g | Fat: 47 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Cholesterol: 232 mg | Sodium: 1629 mg | Potassium: 428 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Iron: 3 mg

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken, oven fried

Servings: 6

Calories: 663 kcal