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Oven Fried Buttery Chicken Legs Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 141 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Oven Fried Buttery Chicken Legs feature tender drumsticks coated in a flavorful mixture of mayonnaise and milk, then dredged in a crunchy, buttery cracker crumb coating. Baked to golden perfection in melted butter, this recipe offers a crispy, juicy, and delicious twist on traditional fried chicken without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 2 pounds drumsticks
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 1/2 cups ground butter crackers
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Butter Base

  • 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Melt Butter: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the 4 tablespoons of butter in a cast iron skillet or cookie sheet and put it in the oven to melt completely, creating a rich base for the chicken.
  2. Prepare Mayonnaise Mixture: While the butter melts, stir together the 1/3 cup mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons milk in a shallow dish until smoothly combined. This mixture will help the cracker crumbs stick to the chicken.
  3. Mix Cracker Coating: In a large zip-top bag, combine the 1 1/2 cups ground butter crackers, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Seal the bag and shake well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
  4. Coat Chicken in Mayonnaise Mixture: Dip each drumstick into the mayonnaise and milk mixture, ensuring it is well coated to help the crumb mixture adhere properly.
  5. Dredge Chicken in Cracker Crumbs: Place the coated chicken pieces into the zip-top bag with the cracker mixture. Seal the bag tightly and shake to coat each piece evenly in the crumb mixture.
  6. Arrange Chicken in Butter: Carefully remove the skillet or cookie sheet from the oven once the butter has melted. Place the crumb-coated chicken pieces in the melted butter, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer.
  7. Bake and Flip: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, flip each piece over to promote even cooking and browning on all sides.
  8. Finish Baking: Continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and avoid undercooking.
  • Ground butter crackers can be made by crushing store-bought butter-flavored crackers in a food processor or sealed bag.
  • Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated for the crispiest crust.
  • If preferred, you can swap drumsticks with chicken thighs or breasts, but cooking times may vary.
  • For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the cracker mix.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after baking for juicier results.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: oven fried chicken, buttery chicken legs, crispy baked chicken, cracker crumb chicken, easy chicken recipe

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Find it online: https://aromaofgrandma.com/oven-fried-buttery-chicken-legs-recipe/