Baked Fried Chicken That’ll Make You Forget About Takeout
Because sometimes you need dinner to deliver without delivering anything at all.
Let’s be real: we all want to be the person who whips up golden, juicy, crispy fried chicken like it’s no big deal. But who has time for oil splatters, deep-fryer drama, or Googling “what to do when your smoke alarm won’t shut up?” Yeah, no thanks. That’s why this Baked Fried Chicken recipe is here to save your supper—and your sanity.
You’re about to meet the weeknight hero that delivers fried chicken vibes without all the fuss. It’s crispy. It’s buttery. It’s smothered in gravy if you’re living your best life. And it all happens in the oven. Yep—oven-baked and still finger-lickin’ good.
This isn’t just chicken. This is “they’ll think you picked it up from Granny’s kitchen” chicken. The secret? A box of Kentucky Kernel Seasoned Flour and a little buttermilk magic. Let’s get into it.
The Dinner Dilemma: Solved
If you’ve ever stared into the fridge like it owed you money, wondering how to feed people (again)—this recipe is your answer. Because let’s face it: we’re busy. The to-do list is long. The laundry has been “waiting to be folded” for so long it might qualify as furniture. And your brain is just trying to figure out how it’s already 5 PM. Again.
This Baked Fried Chicken hits that sweet spot:
✅ Easy prep
✅ Minimal mess
✅ Crowd-pleasing flavor
✅ Oven does the work
✅ Tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen (spoiler: you didn’t)
Ingredients You’ll Need
3 large chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (so you get 6 thinner cutlets) 1 box (10 oz) Kentucky Kernel Seasoned Flour 2 cups Buttermilk ½ cup Butter, melted on the pan Optional: Gravy to drizzle on top like the classy comfort food queen you are 👑
No Kentucky Kernel? No problem. You can DIY it:
2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp each: salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder ½ tsp cayenne pepper (if you like it with a kick)
How to Make It (aka, How to Win Dinner Without Crying Into a Drive-Thru Bag)
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
If your chicken breasts are thick enough to double as doorstops, give them a little love with a meat mallet (or the heel of a shoe—I don’t judge) until they’re about 1-inch thick. We’re looking for even cooking here, not a culinary workout.
Step 2: Buttermilk Bath
Give those cutlets a good soak in buttermilk. Let them sit while you preheat the oven and melt your butter. Buttermilk doesn’t just soften the chicken—it adds flavor, tenderness, and that perfect golden crust you dream about.
Step 3: Coat & Shake
Lightly dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess like it’s bad vibes. No clumps, just a nice even coating.
Step 4: Butter It Up
Melt ½ cup of butter on a rimmed 15”x10” baking sheet in a 425°F oven. Watch it like a hawk—it should take 1–2 minutes max. You want melted, not browned (save the brown butter for your cookies).
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Lay those flour-coated beauties right into the buttered pan. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. Don’t peek. Let them do their thing.
Step 6: Flip, Broil, and Make Magic
Flip each piece using a thin spatula. Bake another 3–5 minutes, then broil on high for 3–5 minutes more until you hit 165°F internal temp and that gorgeously browned, crispy top. Boom. Done.
Step 7: Gravy? Optional. Encouraged.
Drizzle generously. Eat shamelessly. Lick the plate if you must—we support that kind of energy here.
Why This Chicken Slaps (Besides the Obvious)
Let’s talk about the real reasons this recipe works—and why it needs to live rent-free in your weekly rotation.
1. It’s BAKED but Tastes FRIED
This isn’t some dry “healthy swap” that tastes like disappointment. The seasoned flour and hot butter team up to give you that crunchy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside magic. All the fried chicken vibes, none of the fryer panic.
2. It’s Family-Approved
Even the picky eaters who act like you’re poisoning them if dinner has “too much flavor” will go back for seconds. This chicken has that nostalgic, comforting taste—but it’s fast enough for a Tuesday night meltdown.
3. Zero Fancy Tools Required
No deep fryer. No Dutch oven. No air fryer with 47 buttons and a 12-minute preheat time. Just a sheet pan, some butter, and your oven. That’s it.
4. Meal Prep Friendly
Make a double batch, slice it up, and throw it over salads, into wraps, or straight into your mouth while standing at the fridge. (No shame—we’ve all been there.)
Tips to Level It Up
Because you know I’m not about to leave you hanging without the sass and the secrets:
🔥 Want extra crisp? Add a light spray of cooking oil over the flour-coated chicken before it hits the oven.
🧂 Need more flavor punch? Mix a teaspoon of ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, or Cajun spice into the flour for a little extra something.
🍗 Using thighs or tenders? Go for it! Just adjust cook time. Bone-in thighs may need a little longer—around 30–35 minutes total. Tenders may be done in 15.
🧊 Make it freezer-friendly:
Freeze raw, coated cutlets on a sheet pan. Once frozen, toss them in a bag. Bake straight from frozen—just add 10–12 minutes and watch them crisp up like a dream.
The Verdict: You Need This Chicken in Your Life
If you’re tired of boring chicken, burnt attempts at healthy meals, or spending $50 on takeout that leaves you hangry an hour later—this Baked Fried Chicken is calling your name.
It’s the kind of dinner that says, “Yeah, I’ve got my life together,” even if your laundry’s still in the dryer from three days ago and you’ve had cereal for lunch twice this week. We’re thriving in our own way, okay?
Final Pro Tip
This chicken pairs perfectly with:
Green beans or roasted broccoli Mashed potatoes or baked mac & cheese A cold drink and your favorite playlist blasting while you cook
And let’s not forget: leftovers make the best chicken sandwiches. Add some pickles, a swipe of mayo, maybe a little honey drizzle if you’re fancy—and boom. You’ve got yourself a lunch that slaps.
Follow for More Easy + Delicious Recipes
If you loved this one, stick around! I share tons of cozy, no-fuss, flavor-packed recipes that solve the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma night after night.
Follow me on Instagram @thelastresortlakehouse, save this post to your Dinner Ideas board, and tag me when you make it—I want to see that golden crispy goodness on your plate.
Because food should be simple, satisfying, and something you actually look forward to making.
Even if the laundry’s still waiting. 😉
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