This Homemade KFC Oven-Fried Chicken gives you that famous crispy, well-seasoned coating and juicy chicken inside—without deep frying. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and baked to golden perfection, making it a lighter but still incredibly satisfying version of the classic everyone loves.
The secret is the spice blend and coating technique that mimics KFC’s iconic flavor while using the oven to do the work.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy like fried chicken—but oven baked
- Classic KFC-style seasoning
- Juicy, tender chicken every time
- Less mess, less oil
- Family-approved comfort food
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 8 pieces chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or bone-in breasts)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 2 tbsp melted butter or oil (for baking pan)
For the Coating
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
How to Make Homemade KFC Oven-Fried Chicken
1. Marinate
Place chicken in buttermilk and let marinate 30 minutes to overnight for maximum tenderness.
2. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Add butter or oil to a baking dish and place it in the oven to melt and heat.
3. Make the Coating
In a large bowl, mix flour and all spices until well combined.
4. Coat the Chicken
Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing coating onto the chicken.
5. Bake
Carefully place chicken skin-side down into the hot buttered pan.
Bake 20 minutes, then flip chicken and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden, crispy, and fully cooked.
6. Rest & Serve
Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Tips for Extra Crispiness
- Don’t overcrowd the pan
- Use a metal baking dish for best browning
- Flip only once
- For extra crunch, spray lightly with cooking spray before baking
Serving Ideas
- Mashed potatoes & gravy
- Coleslaw
- Biscuits or cornbread
- Mac and cheese
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven or air fryer to keep crispy
- Avoid microwaving if possible
Final Thought
This Homemade KFC Oven-Fried Chicken delivers everything you crave—crispy coating, bold seasoning, and juicy meat—without the fryer. Once you make it, you may never go back to fast food.