Homemade KFC Chicken in the Oven – Crispy, Juicy & Easy!

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour in the buttermilk and turn to coat evenly.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This tenderizes the chicken and helps the coating stick better.

Step 2: Prep the Oven & Coating

3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with oil spray or cooking spray.
4. In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

5. Remove chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.
6. Thoroughly dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing the flour onto the surface to create a thick, even coating.
7. Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between pieces for airflow.
8. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray or brush with melted butter — this helps achieve that golden, crispy finish in the oven.
   

   Step 4: Bake