Best 3 Light Oven Fried Chicken Recipes

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this light oven-fried chicken is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken without sacrificing any flavor. Made with a special blend of herbs and spices, this chicken is coated in a light breading and baked in the oven until golden brown. It's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a fun weekend get-together.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can use different types of chicken pieces, such as breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. You can also adjust the seasonings to your liking, making it milder or spicier. And if you're looking for a gluten-free option, simply use gluten-free flour in the breading.

In addition to the classic oven-fried chicken recipe, this article also includes variations for baked chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, and popcorn chicken. All of these recipes are easy to follow and use simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. So whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that you'll love.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN (COOKING LIGHT )

Oven-Fried Chicken (Cooking Light ) image

Make and share this Oven-Fried Chicken (Cooking Light ) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chef by Chance

Categories Chicken

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 egg whites, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 skinless chicken breast halves
2 skinless chicken thighs
2 skinless chicken drumsticks
2 tablespoons canola oil
cooking spray

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425.
Prepare the baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper.
Whisk together the buttermilk and egg whites.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1/2 tsp salt, black & red peppers.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 tsp salt on the chicken. Dip chicken in the buttermilk mixture, then the flour mixture.
Over medium-high heat, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Brown the chicken pieces (2-4 minutes each side).
Place chicken on baking sheet and lightly spray the chicken.
Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

LIGHT OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

Light Oven-Fried Chicken image

Tarragon, ginger and cayenne pepper season the cornmeal coating that Daucia Brooks of Westmoreland, Tennessee uses on her golden "fried" chicken. The moist meat and crunchy coating are sure to make this homey entree in a mealtime mainstay at you house, too.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 large egg whites
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 bone-in chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
Refrigerated butter-flavored spray

Steps:

In a shallow bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another shallow bowl, combine egg whites and milk. Place flour in a third shallow bowl. Coat chicken with flour; dip in the egg white mixture, then roll in cornmeal mixture. , Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes. Spritz with butter-flavored spray. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until chicken is golden brown and crispy and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 248 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 375mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

COOKING LIGHT OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

COOKING LIGHT OVEN FRIED CHICKEN image

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat buttermilk $
2 large egg whites, beaten $
1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 ounces)
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 chicken breast halves, skinned (about 1 pound) $
2 chicken thighs, skinned (about 1/2 pound) $
2 chicken drumsticks, skinned (about 1/2 pound) $
2 tablespoons canola oil
Cooking spray

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425°. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine buttermilk and egg whites in a shallow dish; stir well with a whisk. Combine flour, cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and red pepper in a separate shallow dish; stir well. Sprinkle chicken evenly with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dip chicken in buttermilk mixture; dredge in flour mixture. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet; lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

Tips:

For a crispy coating, make sure the chicken is completely dry before breading.
Use a light hand when breading the chicken to avoid a thick coating.
Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature for at least 5 minutes before cooking the chicken.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
Cook the chicken for the recommended time, or until it is cooked through.
Serve the chicken immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion:

These air fryer chicken recipes are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy your favorite fried chicken. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have crispy, flavorful chicken that's perfect for any occasion. So next time you're craving fried chicken, reach for your air fryer and give one of these recipes a try.