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Homemade Oven-Baked KFC Chicken Recipe

4.5 from 84 reviews

A crispy, flavorful homemade version of KFC-style chicken baked in the oven. This recipe uses a buttermilk marinade and a blend of herbs and spices to create tender, juicy chicken with a perfectly seasoned, crunchy coating without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 8 pieces of chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
  • 2 cups buttermilk

Coating

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)

For Baking

  • Cooking spray or a few tablespoons of vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
  2. Prepare the oven and rack. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly grease the rack with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Mix the seasoned flour coating. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, ground ginger, white pepper, and chili powder if using. Stir until evenly mixed.
  4. Coat the chicken. Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the chicken to ensure a good coating.
  5. Arrange and prepare for baking. Place the coated chicken pieces spaced evenly on the greased wire rack over the baking sheet. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil to help crisp the crust.
  6. Bake the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest and serve. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and the coating to set.

Notes

  • For best results, marinate the chicken overnight in the buttermilk for maximum tenderness and flavor.
  • If you don’t have a wire rack, you can place chicken directly on a greased baking sheet but the bottom may not crisp as much.
  • Adjust chili powder according to your spice preference or omit if you want a milder flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: KFC chicken recipe, oven fried chicken, homemade KFC style chicken, baked crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe