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Buttermilk Baked Chicken


***As a Southern girl, I just can't resist fried chicken every once in a while. It doesn't get much better than chicken marinated in buttermilk, breaded with fresh bread crumbs, and then fried to a perfect golden brown. However...the one thing that does get better (well, at least healthier!) is when the chicken is baked...instead of fried.

This recipe is the perfect combination of both worlds. You get that delectable crunch that fried chicken has, but without all that extra grease and fat! The addition of Parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs does add a few extra calories, but it adds a great flavor to the finished dish.

I found this recipe in Martha Stewarts' Everyday Food: Great Food Fast cookbook. I can't say enough good things about this particular cookbook. It's divided by seasons, so it really makes it easy to cook according to what ingredients are in season at that time. The recipes are all really simple but certainly deliver on taste. I've probably cooked more recipes out of that book than any other on my shelf.

This recipe definitely doesn't disappoint. It tastes wonderful and is a cinch to make!***

Ingredients:
Vegetable oil, for baking sheet
8 slices white bread
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon hot-pepper sauce
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4 pounds chicken parts (preferably legs, thighs, and wings), rinsed and patted dry
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously rub a baking sheet with oil. In a food processor, pulse bread until it turns into coarse crumbs.

In a large bowl, stir together buttermilk, hot-pepper sauce, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, thyme, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Place chicken in the buttermilk mixture, turning to coat evenly. Working with one piece at a time, remove chicken from liquid, letting excess drip back into bowl; dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat evenly. Place coated chicken pieces on prepared baking sheet.

Bake until chicken is golden brown, about 35 minutes.Note: Leave enough space between the chicken pieces so that they crisp evenly all the way around.

Comments

Memória said…
This looks great. I don't like to fry much in the house, so this is perfect.

By the way, my mom, who is inept in the kitchen, made and loved the carrot cake on your blog. With my help over the phone, she was able to make it successfully! Thanks for the recipe.
Catherine said…
This looks good! I love the buttermilk!
I'm popping over to wish y'all a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you turkey browns and your sweet potato souffle fluffs.
April said…
I noticed the recipe said to use dark meat, but by your photo, you used a breast. Did that work out ok and not dry out? I ask because if given a preference, I would use white meat.
Celeste said…
Yes...I actually used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It worked great!
jadedu116 said…
I don't own a food processor. Do you think store bought breadcrumbs will work?
Anonymous said…
Pablo bread crumbs are the best for a crunch texture.
bitsybet said…
I made this chicken tonight for dinner. It was so moist and tasty. I only used a half of a teaspoon of the hot pepper sauce because I had never used it before and did not want it too spicy. Next time I will use the whole teaspoon. I also used panko bread crumbs. I also substituted boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the the chicken parts. I've now included this in my "go to" recipes.
jjackie41 said…
I going to try this.I don't eat fried foods.
Anonymous said…
If substituting the white bread for bread crumbs, about how much should be used?
Anonymous said…
I marinate the chicken in the buttermilk for about 6 hours and then roll in breadcrumbs. Sooo moist and good

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