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Golden crispy oven-fried chicken legs on a white plate with a cornmeal and flour coating, juicy and perfectly seasoned
Dinner

Oven-Fried Chicken

One of my favourite ways to enjoy chicken! It tastes so much like KFC fried chicken but without all the guilt! Not only does cornmeal and flour make this chicken crispy, it also seals all the juices inside, making it unbelievably juicy!

5.0 (1)
Prep
15 min
Cook
45 min
Total
1hr
Serves
4
Style
💰 Everyday

One of my favourite ways to enjoy chicken! It tastes so much like KFC fried chicken but without all the guilt!

Not only do cornmeal and flour make this chicken crispy, they also seal all the juices inside, making it unbelievably juicy!

I don't know about you, but for me, serving this with creamed corn and gravy is a must!

Oven-Fried Chicken preparation step 1
Oven-Fried Chicken preparation step 2
Oven-Fried Chicken preparation step 3

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 5–6 chicken legs, each split at the joint into two pieces, around 3 lbs (1.4 kg)
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt, heaping
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) flour
  • 1/4 cup (35 g) fine cornmeal
  • 1 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes, heaping

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub oil all over the chicken and season with salt. Set up wire racks on top of foil-covered baking sheets.

  2. 2

    Mix all of the dry rub ingredients together. I like doing so in a large resealable bag. Add the chicken and toss to coat each piece with the rub. Place the chicken pieces on top of the prepared wire racks. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1–6 hours. This will crisp up the skin even more.

  3. 3

    When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for about 45 minutes until the skin is golden, crisp, and the chicken is cooked through. You can also broil your chicken, watching very closely, for just 2–4 minutes for added colour and crispiness. Enjoy!

FAQ

Can you make oven-fried chicken ahead of time?+
Yes! You can coat the chicken with the spice rub and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking, which actually helps the flavors develop. Just bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Why do you use cornmeal in oven-fried chicken?+
Cornmeal gives the coating a crispy, slightly grainy texture that mimics traditional deep-fried chicken without all the oil. Combined with flour, it creates that satisfying crunch on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
What can you substitute for paprika in this recipe?+
You can swap paprika for smoked paprika for deeper flavor, or use chili powder if you prefer more heat. You could also increase the cayenne slightly, though the paprika's mild smokiness is hard to fully replicate.
How do you keep oven-fried chicken crispy when storing leftovers?+
Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, then reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore crispness—don't use the microwave, which will make it soggy.

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Oven-Fried Chicken | Easy KFC Copycat | Food 400°