The Ultimate Crispy Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

We’ve all been there: dreaming of gloriously crunchy fried chicken, but put off by the thought of a messy kitchen and all that oil. It’s a classic comfort food, but deep-frying can feel a bit too involved for a simple family meal. But what if you could achieve that same mouth-watering result without the hassle? We’re talking about chicken that is wonderfully succulent on the inside, with a perfectly crisp, golden coating, baked right in your oven.

That’s exactly what our recipe for Crispy Oven Fried Chicken delivers. This method brings you all the texture and taste you adore, but without the need for a deep-fat fryer. It’s cleaner, easier, and much lighter. We’ve discovered the secrets to getting that unbeatable crunch every single time. Prepare yourself for the most delicious oven-baked chicken you’ve ever tasted.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Seriously Crispy Without the Fryer: Achieve an incredibly crunchy crust that rivals any deep-fried counterpart, thanks to a simple cornflake coating. It provides that perfect crunch you’re looking for.
• A Lighter, Healthier Indulgence: This is a brilliant healthy fried chicken option. Baking on a wire rack allows excess fat to drip away, and we use significantly less oil, all without sacrificing flavour.
• Incredibly Juicy and Flavourful: Our straightforward buttermilk marinade is the secret to tender meat. It ensures the chicken is infused with a subtle tang, making every bite incredibly moist and flavourful.
• Quick, Easy, and Minimal Mess: This is the ideal easy chicken dinner for those busy weeknights. The steps are simple, there’s no messy oil splatter, and cleaning up is effortless.
• A Guaranteed Family Favourite: A true family favourite, this dish is loved by adults and children alike. It has all the appeal of a treat while being wholesome enough for a regular meal.

Ingredients

• 250ml buttermilk
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for a little kick)
• 100g plain flour
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 150g cornflakes, lightly crushed
• 2 tsp smoked paprika, divided
• 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• Olive oil spray or 2 tbsp melted butter

How to Make The Best Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

The key to fantastic oven-fried chicken lies in the technique. We’ve broken our method down into three main stages: marinating, coating, and baking. If you follow these instructions carefully, you’ll be rewarded with golden, crispy perfection.

Step 1: The Magic Marinade

The secret to truly succulent chicken begins here, so please don’t be tempted to skip this part! In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk with 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, 1 tsp of smoked paprika, and 1 tsp of garlic powder. If you enjoy a touch of spice, now is the time to add the hot sauce. Place the chicken pieces into the marinade, making sure they are all completely covered. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. For truly exceptional results, we suggest letting it marinate for 2-4 hours, giving the buttermilk ample time to tenderise the meat.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Breading Station

A well-organised workspace makes the breading process clean and simple. You will require three shallow dishes.

1. Flour Mixture: In the first dish, mix the plain flour with the remaining 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
2. Egg Wash: In your second dish, crack the two eggs and lightly beat them with a fork until smooth.
3. Crunchy Coating: In the third dish, place your gently crushed cornflakes. The best way to crush them is inside a sealed bag, using a rolling pin or your hands to press down. Aim for a mixture of coarse crumbs and larger flakes for the best texture, not a fine powder.

As you prepare your station, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Set a wire rack over a large baking sheet. This is a non-negotiable step! The rack promotes air circulation, which is essential for making the bottom of the chicken as crisp as the top.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken to Perfection

Now for the hands-on part! Working with one piece of chicken at a time, follow this order for a coating that stays put:

1. Lift a piece of chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip back into the bowl.
2. Dredge it completely in the seasoned flour, patting gently to ensure it’s fully coated.
3. Submerge the floured chicken in the beaten egg, again allowing any excess to run off.
4. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the cornflake mixture, turning to cover every side. Don’t be shy—this is what creates that fantastic crunch!
5. Transfer the coated chicken to your prepared wire rack. Continue with the rest of the chicken, ensuring there is a small gap between each piece for even cooking.

Step 4: Bake for That Golden Crunch

Gently mist the tops of the chicken with olive oil spray, or drizzle with a little melted butter. This little touch helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown colour and extra crispiness. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. Then, gently turn the chicken pieces over and continue to bake for a further 5–10 minutes, or until the coating is a deep golden brown and the meat is fully cooked. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken.

You’ll know the chicken is cooked when the juices run clear and there is no pink meat inside. For absolute certainty, we always recommend using a meat thermometer, which should register 75°C. For more advice on food safety, we refer to the guidance provided by the Food Standards Agency. Once done, your delicious baked crispy chicken is ready to be enjoyed!

Top Tips for Success

Want to guarantee perfect results every time? Keep these straightforward tips in mind.

• Don’t Skip the Wire Rack: We cannot stress this enough: the wire rack is the key to an all-over crispy finish. Baking the chicken directly on the tray will lead to a soggy bottom.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Ensure there is enough space around each piece of chicken on the rack. Overcrowding causes the chicken to steam rather than bake, which will stop it from getting truly crisp. Use two trays if you need to.
• Crush the Cornflakes Just Right: For the ultimate crunchy coating, avoid crushing the cornflakes into a fine powder. A coarser texture with some larger pieces will give you the most satisfying crunch.
• Even Thickness is Key: For the chicken to cook through evenly, try to use pieces of a similar thickness. If you have particularly thick chicken breasts, you can slice them in half horizontally or gently pound them to a more uniform size.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

What we love most about this recipe is how easily it can be customised. Feel free to tweak it based on your family’s preferences or what you have available.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Oven Fried Chicken: For a spicy kick, add an extra teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture and a tablespoon of your favourite hot sauce to the egg wash.
• Use Different Cuts of Chicken: This method is excellent for Oven fried chicken breast, but it also works beautifully with tenders, thighs, or drumsticks. Remember to adjust the cooking time, as bone-in cuts will require longer in the oven.
• Go Gluten-Free: To make this gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and look for certified gluten-free cornflakes. The results are just as crunchy and delicious!

What to Serve It With

This versatile chicken goes well with so many side dishes. For a classic comfort dinner, we love serving it with creamy mashed potatoes, a fresh homemade coleslaw, and sweetcorn. If you’d prefer a lighter option, it’s perfect with a simple green salad dressed in a sharp vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables.

FAQ

Your New Favourite Chicken Dinner

And there you have it—a wonderfully simple and healthier approach to a beloved comfort food. This Crispy Oven Fried Chicken recipe is proof that you can achieve a phenomenally crunchy coating and tender, juicy meat without a deep-fat fryer. It’s a meal that feels like a weekend indulgence yet is simple enough for any night of the week.

We are certain this will become a go-to recipe in your household. Once you’ve seen how easy it is to make incredible baked chicken, you might feel inspired to explore other flavours. For another great weeknight dinner, why not give our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe a try? Or if you’re after another simple oven-baked dish, our much-loved Baked Ranch Chicken is always a winner.

Now it’s over to you! We encourage you to try this recipe and see for yourself how delicious oven-fried chicken can be. We’d be delighted to hear how you get on, so please do leave a comment and a rating below to let us know!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Marinate: 30 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 250ml buttermilk
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
• 100g plain flour
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 150g cornflakes, lightly crushed
• 2 tsp smoked paprika, divided
• 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, divided
• Olive oil spray or 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

1. Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce (if using), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Submerge the chicken pieces in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for best results).
2. Bread Chicken: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. In a shallow dish, combine flour with the remaining 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Place beaten eggs in a second dish and crushed cornflakes in a third. Working one at a time, dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, dip in the egg wash, then press firmly into the cornflakes to coat all sides. Arrange on the wire rack.
3. Bake to Perfection: Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil or drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature of 75°C).