These KFC Oven Fried Chicken Tenders are my KFC copycat recipe!! Made in the oven, tastes like KFC, nice and crunchy but with just a fraction of the calories! These are Baked Fried Chicken Tenders are a total crowd pleaser!
Confession: I love KFC. I have it maybe three times a year. I don’t crave it regularly (thankfully) but I’d say every few months, I have the urge to splurge. And my bottom hates me for it.
I do the drive through because I’m too ashamed to risk being seen inside KFC. And though I savour every bite while I’m consuming it, I always regret it afterwards. Always. It’s heavy and excessively greasy and I don’t feel great.
And yet, there’s a repeat performance every few months.
I contemplated about the ridiculousness of craving something that makes me feel not-so-crash-hot afterwards. Then I realised – well, it’s like champers. SO much fun, so enjoyable while it’s being consumed. But the next morning? Ugh. Not so fun! (Unless you’re drinking real French champagne, in which case, you’ll be headache free! Did you know that? It’s true!!)
I’ve been on a mission to make the “best” oven baked KFC since early this year. I’ve had around 10 goes, using recipes I’ve found online and trying my own variations.
Here’s the thing that I’ve come to accept. You will never, ever be able to make “fried chicken” in the oven that tastes as good as chicken that’s been deep fried. You can make truly crispy oven baked wings, but it only works really well with wings using a very unique technique discovered by America’s Test Kitchen. (Have you tried my Truly Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings and Truly Crispy Baked Wings with Honey Garlic Sauce?)
But to make chicken with the proper thick, craggy crust that you get with KFC and Southern Fried Chicken, you need to…well, fry it. In oil. Lots of it. There needs to be enough oil so the chicken floats in it, not just a thin layer in a skillet.
So I have conceded defeat.
BUT! There’s a silver lining to every cloud! Just because an exact KFC copycat can’t be made in the oven, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make something similar!
And that’s what I have here for you today. This chicken really does taste like KFC! It’s a mash up of two genius recipes I discovered by 2 very talented bloggers.
1. The “11 Secret Herbs & Spices” from the Homemade KFC recipe by Jo from Every Nook and Cranny. I tried a whole bunch of spice mixes and I think hers is the closest!
2. The coating mixture from Carlsbad Cravings‘ Best Baked “Fried” Chicken. I think Jen’s nailed the coating ratios of flour, panko and cornmeal (polenta / yellow corn). It’s the crunchiest I have tried!
So I made a mash up of these 2 recipes with a few tweaks of my own. You know me. I have “my way” of doing things.:-)
I hope you love it! I am seriously obsessed with this and was VERY happy making it over and over and over again to get it “right” before I shared it with you! – Nagi x
PS I served these with my “go to” Honey Mustard dipping sauce. Recipe also below!
PPS One more look at how crunchy they are? YES!
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KFC Oven Baked "Fried" Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
KFC Spice Mix
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp celery salt (Note 1)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tbsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp mustard powder
- 2 tbsp paprika (not smoked, use sweet or plain)
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper or ground pure chili (optional - for KFC "Zinger" flavour!)
Chicken
- 1.2 - 1.4 lb / 600 - 700 g chicken tenderloin (10 - 12 pieces) (Note 2)
- 1 cup buttermilk OR 1/3 cup plain yoghurt + 2/3 cup milk (Note 3)
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup cornmeal (Note 4)
- 2 tbsp butter (unsalted)
- 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
- Oil spray
Instructions
- Combine the Spice Mix in a bowl.
- Place 1 tbsp of Spice Mix in a ziplock bag with the chicken and buttermilk. Set aside to marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 but ideally overnight.
To Cook
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Place the butter and oil on a large rimmed baking tray. Place in the oven for a few minutes until the butter is just melted. Remove and tip the tray to spread the oil and butter all over.
- Combine the remaining Spice Mix, flour, panko and cornmeal in a bowl and mix. Place half in a large ziplock bag.
- Drain the chicken of excess marinade using a colander.
- Transfer half the chicken into the ziplock bag, seal in air so it is puffed like a balloon, then shake to coat the chicken in the seasoning. Press through the bag so the coating is firmly stuck onto the chicken. Place the chicken onto the baking tray.
- Place the remaining coating into the ziplock bag and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Spray the top with oil and place in the oven. Bake for 12 minutes, then turn, spray and bake for a further 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Don't bake more than 25 minutes, otherwise the chicken will dry out!
- Serve with your favourite dipping sauce. I used Honey Mustard Sauce (Note 7).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
I for one used to fry all the time, but now it’s maybe once or twice a year. This would easily be an exception until I read it is indeed baked! The crunchy exterior looks wonderful. The ginger addition in the spice blend is a new one, like it!
As for KFC, I will come clean and say I go there occasionally, too – but for the buttermilk biscuits! Pinned this bad boy. 🙂
Me too! in all honesty, the last time I fried was about 6 months ago. 🙂 Buttermilk biscuits? *Ears perk up* I have to try them! I’ve never tried them!!
Nagi…I don’t think there is a fried chicken that I have met that I did not love…But I do always feel gross after. But these…these just look so damn good. I will def be trying this out for the family!!! I love that they are baked. Perfection.
I know, right? Fried chicken all over the world is SO GOOD!! N x
Yum! These chicken tenders sound very tasty!
Thanks Sabrina! They are pretty darn delicious, if I do say so myself!
Thanks Sabrina! They sure are tasty!
I cannot tell a lie – my kids have never tried kfc. But! I know Miss9 would just love this version of a crunchy, crispy oven-baked chook! Fab recipe.
You are raising your kids right! I wish I had never tried KFC….cause then I wouldn’t secretly love it! 🙂
So excited for this recipe!!! We used to eat there too and got tired of feeling sick afterwards so this is great! 🙂
ME TOO!! 🙂
Thanks for this recipe. I made this last night using chicken thigh pieces. I didn’t have buttermilk (used eggs instead), didnt have corn meal and panko (used regular bread crumbs), no ginger or mustard powder either. BUT still came out of the oven delicious! will make this again using all the ingredients next time
I’m so glad you loved it JJ!! The seasoning has so many fab flavours in it that even missing what you didn’t have, I can imagine it was still super tasty!
I know what you mean about feeling guilty the day after. Remember being 21 and having too much to drink and going home with the old boyfriend? Same guilt the next morning. 🙂
The only time I buy KFC is when we’re taking the olds on a picnic and I haven’t had time to prepare something special. If it’s a last minute idea, they get to gnaw on a chicken leg. Yours would be so much better and I bet it tastes better too. I love honey mustard with mine too. I never measure. I plop in the mayo, add the mustard and then the honey and taste it until it’s right. I should measure. 🙂
Ba ha ha! You feed the olds KFC?? Oh my. Well, I guess you aren’t there the next day to deal with the after effects!
I tried your KFC recipe. Tasted nothing like KFC! I followed your recipe and the ginger was overpowering. It was soggy and not crispy at all.
Gosh, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it! There is so little ginger in it, I’m very surprised you could taste it at all. 🙁 As for crispiness, is your oven weak? Perhaps that was the reason. I find Jen’s coating comes out really crisp every time!
It must be my oven if everyone else’s turns out crispy. I’ll try it again in a different oven. Love all of your recipes! Keep it up. I rely on your for my dinner menu!
Thanks Kelli! I love that you rely on me for your dinner menu! 🙂
Ha! I seriously love you, Nagi! It’s hillarious you use the KFC drive thru because you are ashamed and scared of being caught! I do the same EXACT thing at a few places, or I send the husband! You know, let HIM deal with the shame!! Lol. Your baked version of KFC actually looks better to me than the “real” thing! It’s not swimming in a TON of grease and I can tell my tummy and bottom won’t hate me the next day if I eat my weight in this chicken! That right there is a win, for sure! This looks super crunchy as well, I’m literally drooling and can’t wait to make this! Pinned! Cheers, my dear! Xo
OMG, that’s awesome, send the HUBBY!!! Yes, he can handle the shame!!
My sis included me on a friends and family website and I came across your 5 ingredient balsamic chicken. I made it and it was delicious. I have always tried to copy KFC fried chicken and could never get it right can’t wait to try this spice combination. I love KFC chicken but it is to greasy. Thank you for these amazing recipes keep them coming
Hi Brian! I’m so glad you enjoyed the 5 ingredient balsamic chicken! I do hope you try this too, the flavour really is as close to KFC as I’ve ever tried!!
I’ve never tasted KFC fried chicken. But!! I am pinning this. I love our oven”fried” chicken but I don’t try to imitate the regular fried. Love how you experiment. I love your humor!!
Woah! Never tried KFC? Gosh I wish I was you. Then I would never crave it!!
I am guilty as deemed as we just ordered KFC this last weekend due to a crazy schedule. I have not had it in about 7 years and oh my goodness you just feel miserable about 5 minutes after you wash all of that oil off your face. I love your your skinny KFC version with the cornmeal and panko bread coating with all of those delicious spices that sounds like a really good combination to give you that little added crunch. Loving that dipping sauce too . Oh my goodness what was I think ordering fast food in HK, China?!? I still need to try all of your wing recipes out. The boys love them BTW… Take care
OMG, I cannot believe you would get KFC in HK! I can absolutely swear that I have NEVER had KFC anywhere in Asia, SO MUCH amazing food options!!! 🙂
Hi.
I’m soooooooo excited about trying this recipe, BUT, what is cornmeal in the UK? Can I substitute with semolina?
Thank you.
I use polenta in my recipe – fine or medium grain Michelle 🙂
Hi Michelle! I think cornmeal is known as polenta in the UK 🙂 It’s fine grains that are the colour of corn!
oh my gosh! this looks amazing! i love KFC and i can’t wait to try this out 🙂
Thank you for sharing your recipe
xx Honey
Thanks Honey! Hope you do try it!!
We have KFC probably 3 times a year too. After effects are horrendous LOL.
I always have celery salt in my pantry it is awesome on cucumber sandwiches.
Ooh! Cucumber sandwiches? I’ll try it!!
I hang my head in shame. I LOVE KFC! Heart it. Heart it long time. And my body is trained to not feel the shocking after effects until days later, when I’ve forgotten I’d eaten a bucket of oil and blame my lethargy on something else.
I’m looking forward to making this. The Colonel and his crew will be sad to not see me again, but I’m sure my body will be pleased. 🙂
There is NO SHAME in that!! I’m with you Gloria! N x
I would never go to KFC, but your oven baked chicken tenders look seriously delicious!
You don’t need to! Just make them at home! 🙂
I totally hear you on the cravings thing. I’m not a big fast food fan, but every now and then I crave a greasy cheeseburger. I too go through the drive-thru in an effort to conceal my identity.
I’ve had your baked wings before, I know this one will certainly be another fab dish! All hail, Nagi the baked wing zen master!
Mmmm….cheeseburgers…..we totally need to grill some up in LA when we catch up!! N x
I must admit that I haven’t been to KFC in years! Hubby used to go when he lived in China because it was comfort food for him. I don’t know why because I have never eaten KFC with him! In any case, these look fabulous and I will have no problem trying them. So much the better, they aren’t deep fried! But shoot, I do love deep fried!
Ugh! I love deep fried too!!! 🙂
Oooh yes, these do look very clever, you clever clogs. It’s that spice mix that I really want to try now.
I know what you mean about such cravings. I’ve just eaten a burger (homemade by the hubby, but still, preeety greasy), and yes, I regret it. I reckon this chicken of yours WOULD be as good as KFC. Or, OK then, almost … 😉
That Spice Mix is very clever. Very. Jo is very clever!!
I would much rather have baked chicken tenders that are somewhat similar to KFC (I love ’em too) than any that were swimming in a pool of grease, Nagi! I guess in a sea of copycat KFC chicken recipes, this mash-upped twist version would be like real French champagne – headache/guilt free! 🙂
I have to pin this for later!
Thanks Shashi! I’m totally with you 🙂 At least these can be had as an ordinary dinner without any guilt!! <3