This Oven Fried Chicken Recipe is not your typical Southern fried chicken. Instead, it’s made in the oven but is still packed with incredible finger-licking flavor thanks to a few surprise ingredients.
Ingredients
Most of these simple ingredients may already be in your pantry or spice rack!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Olive oil helps to crisp up the chicken in the oven so you get that juicy meat and crispy texture without having to fry!
- Red Wine Vinegar – Vinegar tenderizes the chicken and gives it a bit of zing.
- Kosher Salt – Salt brings out the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Crushed Red Pepper – I use this to spice it up a bit — you can increase or reduce the amount if you prefer.
- Dried Oregano – Oregano gives the chicken an earthy and herbal flavor.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic adds its signature pungency to the marinade.
- Chicken – We like to use drumsticks but you can use breasts or chicken thighs, too. You can even make chicken tenders.
- Italian Bread Crumbs – We use these to make the crispy coating.
- Parmesan Cheese – This gives the coating a nutty flavor. Be sure to grate your own instead of using a pre-shredded variety.
- Ground Pepper – Black pepper adds a gentle heat.
- Parsley – While optional, using parsley as a garnish gives the chicken a pop of color.
Variations
There are a few ways you can add your own personal touch to this easy dish.
- Vinegar – Swap out the red wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a different flavor profile. Or use lemon juice for a citrusy spin.
- Seasonings – Add Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or taco seasoning.
- Breadcrumbs – Use plain breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
- Heat – Add a little spiciness with cayenne pepper or chili powder.
How to Make Oven Fried Chicken
It couldn’t be easier to make this delicious chicken!
- Combine oil and seasonings. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Kosher salt, crushed red pepper, dried oregano, and garlic powder to a large bowl.
- Coat the chicken. Place the chicken pieces in the bowl and coat them with the marinade before placing them in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Prep the baking sheet. Place a cooling rack on top of the rimmed baking sheet so that the sheet can catch dripping and the hot air will be able to circulate around the chicken.
- Dredge chicken. Combine the bread crumbs, cheese, and pepper on a shallow dish. Coat the chicken with the breading mixture. Be sure to shake off any excess. Then, place the pieces of chicken in a single layer on the cooling rack over the pan.
- Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake until each of the chicken pieces reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The chicken should be golden brown.
- Rest. Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest briefly garnishing with parsley and serving.
What to Serve with Oven Fried Chicken
You can serve just about any side dish with this juicy and crispy fried chicken! For starches, try mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, french fries, or potato salad.
If you’re looking to serve it alongside veggies, try a side salad, broccolini, or roasted vegetables.
Common Questions About Oven Fried Chicken
By elevating the chicken off of the pan with the cooling rack, you can allow the air to circulate so that all sides of the chicken are crispy. Preheating the oven will help, too.
If there is too much moisture, the chicken will not get crispy. Be sure to pat the chicken dry before prepping it.
This is a matter of personal preference, but baking can reduce the amount of oil you use and may be less messy.
Storage
You can store leftovers and either eat them cold or reheat them. For the crispiest results, reheat it in the oven or an air fryer.
Make Ahead
While this chicken is best served fresh out of the oven, you can make it ahead and pack it in lunches or eat it throughout the week.
Refrigerator
Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer
Freeze the chicken for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. To prevent the chicken pieces from sticking together, flash freeze them before placing them in the container.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Easy chicken recipes are a favorite of ours! Here are a few more!
Oven Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 pieces chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese , freshly and finely grated
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Parsley , for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, crushed red pepper, dried oregano and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken pieces, tossing to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 6-24 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator and pat dry.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with cooling racks for dripping or a broiler pan. I like to use parchment paper for easier clean up. You can do this lying flat, but the chicken will crispy more uniformly on a rack.
- In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing into the chicken. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until chicken internal temperture reaches 165°F. Since the chicken pieces are different sizes and shapes, check them all.
- Remove, allow the chicken to rest and garnish with minced parsley and serve hot.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
Very good. This is the first time I made “crispy” oven baked chicken that came our crispy! I soaked it in the marinade fro 24 hours. Thank you for sharing this reciepe!
Yay! Thank you so much for coming back and letting us know. I feel the same way- it’s hard to not get soggy “crispy” chicken.
My mom always soaked her chicken in vinegar/water/salt/pepper before my dad grilled it. It would always be juicy. this looks like a good recipe to hold on to. thanks for sharing.
wishes for tasty dishes,
linda
This sounds delicious! And, I too have the habit of collecting cookbooks but not actually cooking with them!
This came out great. I agree, baked chicken can be nice and crispy without the need for all that oil. The parmesan cheese adds some great flavor.
This chicken really does look wonderfully crispy and I love that it’s done without frying!
I am a huge fan of fried chicken but rarely make it because of all the grease and fat. This looks like it would satisfy my friend chicken craving in a healthier way.
Love how crispy this chicken is – even from oven baking! Looks delicious!
Can I make this without the cheese? I hate cheese, i now I’m a weirdo, but I just can’t eat it.
Thanks!
You can totally make it without cheese!!!
My family would be all over this dinner and I bet they would ask for seconds too! Thank you for sharing.
I wouldn’t be lying if I told you I made this twice in one week a few months ago.