The best crispy chicken dinner everyone will crave!
📝 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
For the Garden Salad:
- 3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Italian dressing
🍽️ How to Make It:
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken:
Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl or resealable bag and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, for maximum tenderness and flavor. This best crispy chicken recipe, easy family dinner, and comfort food favorite starts with a rich and flavorful marinade.
2️⃣ Prepare the Crunchy Coating:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the seasonings are evenly distributed. This creates a golden crunchy coating, restaurant-style chicken, and crowd-pleasing meal with incredible texture.
3️⃣ Coat the Drumsticks:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Coat each drumstick thoroughly in the cornflake mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well. Arrange the coated drumsticks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and lightly spray with olive oil or cooking spray. This method creates crispy baked chicken, easy comfort food, and a weeknight dinner winner.
4️⃣ Bake Until Golden:
Bake for 40–45 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking if desired, until the coating is golden brown and crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This delivers a best homemade chicken, crispy chicken dinner, and family favorite recipe with less oil than traditional frying.
5️⃣ Prepare & Serve:
In a large bowl, toss the chopped iceberg lettuce, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes with Italian dressing until evenly coated. Serve the crispy oven-fried drumsticks alongside the fresh garden salad exactly as shown. This creates a balanced family meal, easy dinner idea, and homestyle comfort food everyone will enjoy.
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating)
🔥 Cook Time: 45 minutes
⌛ Total Time: 1 hour (+ marinating)
🍽️ Servings: 4 people
🔥 Calories: ~590 per serving
💪 Protein: ~38g per serving
