• Comfort Food: Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

    by  • January 5, 2010 • Budget Eating, Chicken, Feeding Kids, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Life, Poultry, Recipes • 7 Comments

    Crunchy Chicken

    There is something amazing about biting into the crispy coating of fried chicken. It crunches between your teeth, revealing layers of flavors. It’s salty and wonderful … Before you know it, you’re biting into juicy chicken, just below the skin. Well, at least I hope it’s juicy. I’ve had a lot of flavorless meat on fried chicken in my day. Haven’t you?

    This chicken is the total package: crispy and packed with flavor inside and out.

    In 2010, I am focusing a lot on healthy, budget-friendly dishes. Chicken drumsticks are definitely budget friendly, and since these are baked, this is lightened up. (Don’t worry … only a portion of the 2 tbsp of butter actually makes it onto the chicken). Perfect for a night when you are craving comfort food … but not willing to break your healthy resolutions.

    Psst … are you participating in the Ten in 2010 challenge? It’s a community effort to support each other to a healthier, happier 2010. Don’t worry — you don’t even need a blog to join. Click here to learn more.

    Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks
    serves 4
    view the printable recipe at Tablespoon

    2 cups corn flake cereal
    3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
    1 tsp smoked paprika
    2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
    1 tbsp skim milk
    1 tsp garlic salt
    4 chicken drumsticks (about 1 1/3 lbs)
    cooking spray

    Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray an oven-safe 13x9x2 inch pan with cooking oil spray.

    Place the cereal in a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin. Add 2 tbsp parsley and the paprika to the bag and shake to incorporate. Set aside.

    Melt the butter in a small skillet. Remove from burner and let cool for a few minutes. Then, whisk in the milk, 1 tbsp parsley and garlic salt. Wash and pat dry the chicken. Then, roll it in the butter mixture. Transfer chicken pieces to the resealable bag and shake until well-coated (do then all at once — it’s easiest). Place the chicken into the prepared pan. Spray lightly with cooking oil spray.

    Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

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    About

    Sarah W. Caron is a freelance writer, editor and recipe developer.

    7 Responses to Comfort Food: Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

    1. January 5, 2010 at 4:06 pm

      I love that these are healthier! Great recipe.

    2. Hugh
      January 5, 2010 at 6:20 pm

      Sounds appealing, but I have one question and one comment. First, what happens to the skim milk? Does that get whisked into the butter mixture?
      Second, does this really serve four? Just one drumstick a person? That truly is light eating!

      • January 5, 2010 at 6:25 pm

        Thanks for the comment, Hugh! Yes, the milk gets whisked into the butter mixture — I updated the recipe to add that. Sorry!

        Also, yes, this feeds four. Drumsticks (not the tiny ones you have at a bar, but the big ones) have quite a bit of meat on them. I typically serve this with either a pasta or a potato, a vegetable (it was green beans the other night) and a salad. Sides are really important to healthy eating since meat just shouldn’t be the center of a meal.

    3. January 6, 2010 at 2:55 am

      I imagine this recipe would please everyone in my family! Crunchy and not fried? Perfect!

    4. January 6, 2010 at 3:28 am

      Mmm, gotta love a New Year that starts off with healthy fried chicken!

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