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Homemade KFC-Style Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy, crispy chicken baked to golden perfection with classic buttermilk flavor and a seasoned coating.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken and Marinade

01 - 2 pounds chicken drumsticks or thighs, bone-in and skin-on
02 - 2 cups buttermilk

→ Seasoned Coating

03 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

→ For Baking

12 - Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons melted butter

# Steps:

01 - Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. Ensure all pieces are submerged, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease to prevent sticking.
03 - In a large shallow bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, and cayenne until well combined.
04 - Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere well. Optional: dip in buttermilk again and recoat for extra crispiness.
05 - Place coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart for proper air circulation.
06 - Spray each piece lightly with olive oil or brush with melted butter, especially over any visibly dry spots.
07 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping pieces halfway through. Chicken is done when golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
08 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.

# Notes:

01 - Marinating in buttermilk tenderizes the meat and infuses deep flavor.
02 - Use bone-in, skin-on pieces for best texture and authentic taste.
03 - Let the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes before baking to help the crust adhere.
04 - Sprinkling water under parchment paper creates steam that enhances crisping.

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