Perfectly Baked Fried Chicken Without the Grease—A Simple, Delicious Recipe!

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There’s something universally loved about fried chicken—the crispy, golden coating, the juicy, tender meat, and the comforting feeling of a home-cooked meal. However, traditional fried chicken can be heavy on grease and calories. Enter Baked Fried Chicken, a lighter, less oily version of the beloved dish that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or crunch.

This recipe combines the best of both worlds. By baking the chicken at a high temperature, you still get that crispy, flavorful coating, but without the need for deep frying. The secret to this dish lies in its simplicity: soaking the chicken in buttermilk ensures tenderness, while the seasoned flour adds the perfect balance of savory spices and a golden crust. Plus, you don’t need any fancy equipment—just a hot oven, some basic ingredients, and a baking pan.

The Heart of Baked Fried Chicken

What makes baked fried chicken so irresistible is the way it manages to deliver on the crispy coating we all love while keeping things healthier. The buttermilk soak ensures each chicken piece is infused with moisture, making it tender and juicy on the inside. Meanwhile, the seasoned flour, with a dash of paprika and pepper, brings out a flavor that’s just a little smoky and full of depth.

But the real magic happens when the chicken hits the oven. The butter melting in the pan helps create that beautiful golden crust, mimicking the deep-fried crunch without the need for oil submersion. Plus, by turning the chicken halfway through baking, you ensure an even crisp on all sides, resulting in a meal that tastes like indulgence but feels much lighter.

Recipe: Baked Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (Lawry’s recommended)
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 stick butter (or 1/4 cup)
• Buttermilk
• 1 gallon-size Ziploc bag (optional)

Directions:

1. Soak the Chicken: Place thawed chicken strips in a bowl of buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to tenderize the meat.
2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Prepare the Coating: In a large Ziploc bag or a bowl, mix the flour, salt, seasoned salt, pepper, and paprika until fully combined.
4. Melt the Butter: Cut the butter into pieces and place it in a 9 x 13-inch pan. Allow it to melt in the preheated oven. Once melted, spread the butter evenly across the bottom of the pan. Spray with cooking spray if needed to prevent sticking.
5. Coat the Chicken: Shake off excess buttermilk from each piece of chicken. Place the chicken in the Ziploc bag or bowl with the flour mixture and thoroughly coat.
6. Bake: Arrange the chicken pieces in the buttered pan and bake for 20 minutes. Flip each piece over and continue baking for another 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 170°F (75°C) and is crispy and golden brown.

Serve this delicious baked fried chicken alongside your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, or a light salad for a perfect family meal.

A New Twist on a Classic Favorite

This baked fried chicken recipe brings all the things we love about fried chicken but with a lot less mess and a healthier twist. It’s perfect for those days when you want something comforting without the guilt. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also a great way to bring a homemade classic to the dinner table that the whole family will love. The crispy, flavorful coating paired with juicy, tender chicken makes it a go-to for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.

Here are some reliable sources for the Baked Fried Chicken recipe:

1. Flavorite offers a baked fried chicken recipe that emphasizes simplicity, soaking the chicken in buttermilk, coating it with a seasoned flour mixture (including paprika and seasoned salt), and baking it in butter for a crispy finish. This version ensures tenderness without the deep-fried grease​(Just Cook Well -)​(Flavorite).
2. Savory Nothings provides a similar approach, highlighting the benefits of using buttermilk for marinating the chicken. Their method involves double coating for extra crispiness, and they also offer tips on how to achieve that perfect golden crust without frying​(Savory Nothings).
3. Lawry's by McCormick includes seasoned salt in their buttermilk fried chicken recipe, which is a perfect fit for those looking to replicate the rich flavor of seasoned chicken with a baked, healthier twist​(McCormick).

These sources provide detailed instructions and nutritional information, giving you flexibility in adjusting the recipe to your preferences.