Moist Oven Fried Chicken
Treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food with this Moist Oven Fried Chicken recipe, a healthier take on the classic Southern fried favorite. These golden-brown chicken drumsticks are marinated in tangy buttermilk and zesty hot sauce for unbeatable tenderness and flavor before being coated in a perfectly spiced flour mix featuring paprika, garlic powder, and a kick of cayenne. Baked to crispy perfection in the oven using a rack setup and a light mist of nonstick spray, this dish delivers all the crunch without the guilt of deep frying. Ready in just an hour with minimal prep, this foolproof recipe achieves the perfect balance of juicy, savory, and crispy—making it a crowd-pleasing dinner option. Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes or a crisp coleslaw for a satisfying meal that's sure to impress. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this healthier crispy chicken recipe ticks all the boxes for flavor, texture, and ease!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons Hot sauce
- 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- as needed Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken and add the hot sauce. Mix well to ensure the chicken is fully coated. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to tenderize and infuse flavor into the chicken.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top for even baking. Spray the rack generously with nonstick cooking spray.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a seasoned flour coating.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each drumstick in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to coat evenly. Shake off any excess flour and place the chicken on the prepared baking rack.
Generously spray the coated chicken pieces with nonstick cooking spray. This helps to create a golden, crunchy crust during baking.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. Spray any dry spots with additional cooking spray during the flip.
Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2383 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 92.9 g | 119% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.6 g | 153% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 798 mg | 266% | |
| Sodium | 4165 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 171.1 g | 62% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.8 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.1 g | ||
| Protein | 213.9 g | 428% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.3 mcg | 32% | |
| Calcium | 715 mg | 55% | |
| Iron | 18.1 mg | 101% | |
| Potassium | 2892 mg | 62% | |
*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.
