Heart-Healthy Homemade KFC Style Chicken Leg
Satisfy your crispy fried chicken cravings with these Heart-Healthy Homemade KFC Style Chicken Legs—baked to golden perfection! This easy, guilt-free recipe swaps deep frying for oven baking, creating a lighter yet equally indulgent version of the classic favorite. Marinated in rich buttermilk for extra tenderness and coated in a flavorful blend of whole wheat flour, panko breadcrumbs, and aromatic spices like paprika, garlic powder, and dried herbs, every bite is packed with crunch and savory goodness. With just a light olive oil spray to achieve that signature crisp, these chicken legs are lower in fat and ideal for those looking to enjoy comfort food while staying health-conscious. Ready in under an hour, it's an irresistible recipe for family dinners, meal prep, or healthy comfort food aficionados!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Skinless chicken legs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- as needed Olive oil spray
Instructions
Place the skinless chicken legs in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil spray.
In a shallow dish, combine whole wheat flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
Remove the chicken legs from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Coat each chicken leg in the flour and spice mixture, pressing it firmly to ensure an even coating.
Place the coated chicken legs on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other to allow for even cooking.
Lightly spray the top of the chicken legs with olive oil spray to help them brown and crisp up in the oven.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your heart-healthy homemade KFC style chicken legs!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2360 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.1 g | 103% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.2 g | 116% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1017 mg | 339% | |
| Sodium | 2252 mg | 98% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 128.6 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.6 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.1 g | ||
| Protein | 272.4 g | 545% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.2 mcg | 16% | |
| Calcium | 491 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 20.3 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 3065 mg | 65% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
