Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup buttermilk (or regular milk; see notes)
- 1/4 cup butter (or more as needed)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs (Panko or Italian seasoned)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into strips, about 2-3 pieces per breast)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Place a dark-colored or cast iron pan inside the oven to preheat thoroughly, which will help crisp the chicken during baking.
- Prepare Breading: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk until combined. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground pepper evenly.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat each chicken strip in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg and buttermilk mixture. Return the chicken to the flour mix for a second coating, pressing the breading firmly onto the chicken to ensure it sticks well.
- Prepare Pan and Arrange Chicken: Remove the hot pan from the oven and immediately melt the butter in it. Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces onto the pan, spacing them out so they don’t touch. Depending on the pan size, bake in two batches if necessary.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken strips for 10 to 12 minutes. Then carefully flip each piece and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, adjusting time depending on thickness. Add more butter to the pan if needed to maintain moisture and flavor.
- Broil to Finish: Turn on the oven broiler and broil the chicken strips for 1 to 2 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk if needed; adding a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk can mimic buttermilk.
- If you prefer extra crispiness, use Panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Make sure the pan is very hot before placing the chicken on it to get a better crust.
- Baking time can vary based on the thickness of chicken strips; ensure chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For a dairy-free option, use a non-dairy milk and a suitable butter substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American