Baked Fried Chicken

### Instructions

#### 1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to **400°F (200°C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack to allow air circulation around the chicken, ensuring an even, crispy coating.

#### 2. **Prepare the Chicken**: If using bone-in chicken, make sure it’s properly thawed and patted dry with paper towels. Dry chicken skin helps the coating adhere better and crisps up beautifully during baking.

#### 3. **Make the Coating**: In a shallow bowl, combine the **flour**, **paprika**, **garlic powder**, **onion powder**, **salt**, **pepper**, **thyme**, and **cayenne pepper** (if using). Stir well to mix all the spices together.

#### 4. **Prepare the Wet Ingredients**: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the **buttermilk** and **egg**. This will help the flour coating stick to the chicken, making it crispy when baked.

#### 5. **Dredge the Chicken**: Dip each piece of chicken into the **buttermilk mixture**, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, dredge it in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even, thick coating. Shake off any excess flour.

#### 6. **Place on the Baking Sheet**: Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack. Be sure there is some space between each piece to allow the heat to circulate and ensure even crispiness.

#### 7. **Bake the Chicken**: Lightly spray the chicken with **cooking spray** (or brush with melted butter or oil) to help it brown and crisp up in the oven. Bake for **35-45 minutes**, depending on the size of the chicken pieces, or until the internal temperature reaches **165°F (75°C)**, and the chicken is golden and crispy on the outside.

#### 8. **Check for Crispiness**: If you’d like extra crispiness, you can place the chicken under the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking. Just be sure to watch it closely to avoid burning.

#### 9. **Rest and Serve**: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures each bite is juicy and flavorful.

### Tips for Perfect Baked Fried Chicken

– **Use a Wire Rack**: If you have one, using a wire rack on your baking sheet allows air to circulate around the chicken, helping it to crisp up evenly on all sides. If you don’t have a wire rack, a parchment-lined baking sheet works fine too, just flip the chicken halfway through baking.

– **Make Sure the Chicken is Dry**: The key to getting a crispy crust is ensuring the chicken is dry before you start coating it. Pat the chicken with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

– **Customize the Seasoning**: Feel free to experiment with the seasoning. For a more herbal flavor, you can add dried rosemary, basil, or sage to the flour mixture. For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne or add chili powder.

– **Rest the Chicken**: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute inside the meat. This will keep the chicken tender and juicy.

– **Make it Extra Crispy**: For even more crunch, try double-coating the chicken. After dipping it in the buttermilk mixture and dredging it in the flour, dip it back in the buttermilk and then coat it with a second layer of flour mixture before baking.

### Side Dishes to Pair with Baked Fried Chicken

This **baked fried chicken** is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides:

– **Mashed Potatoes**: Creamy mashed potatoes with a drizzle of gravy are a classic side to serve with fried chicken.
– **Coleslaw**: A tangy and crunchy slaw complements the crispy chicken for a refreshing contrast.
– **Corn on the Cob**: Sweet, buttery corn on the cob is always a hit with fried chicken.
– **Green Beans**: Sautéed or steamed green beans provide a nice, light side to balance the richness of the chicken.
– **Biscuits**: Soft, fluffy biscuits are perfect for soaking up any juices or gravy left on your plate.

### Final Thoughts

Baked fried chicken is a healthier, easier alternative to traditional fried chicken, without compromising on flavor or texture. The crispy coating combined with juicy, tender chicken makes for a meal everyone will love. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or making it for a special occasion, this **baked fried chicken** is sure to impress.

Try it out today and enjoy the crispy, golden perfection of homemade fried chicken—without the mess and oil of deep frying!