Homemade KFC-Style Chicken (Oven-Baked)
Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor, this oven-baked chicken recipe brings that classic KFC-style taste to your home kitchen—no frying needed!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+2 hrs marinating)
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour active (excluding marinate)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: American, Copycat
Ingredients
8 chicken drumsticks or thighs
240 ml buttermilk
190 g all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
0.5 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Olive oil spray or melted butter (for brushing/spraying before baking)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
Place chicken in a shallow dish and pour over the buttermilk. Toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly grease with oil or butter.
Prepare the Coating
In a large bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
Coat the Chicken
Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.
Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour until fully coated.
Bake to Crispy Perfection
Arrange chicken on the prepared tray. Spray lightly with olive oil or brush with melted butter.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, turning halfway through, until chicken is golden, crispy, and cooked through.
Notes
For extra crispiness, double-coat the chicken: dip back into buttermilk, then into flour a second time.
Use skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces for maximum juiciness and flavor.
Internal temp should reach 75°C (165°F) when fully cooked.
Find it online: https://elladishes.com/homemade-kfc-style-chicken-oven-baked/
