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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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:
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.
Hi Michelle! I think cornmeal is known as polenta in the UK 🙂 It’s fine grains that are the colour of corn!
I use polenta in my recipe – fine or medium grain Michelle 🙂
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
I have to admit I never had KFC! But these chicken tenders look so so good. And I need to try this asap!
Shinee! What?! OMG!! I wish I were you!!! Life would be so much easier if I had never ever discovered fast food!!!
I have never been a fan of KFC, probably because it was so greasy. But my husband and a friend from Mexico both enjoy it, so I would try this. Actually my Hungarian grandmother used to make a very nice fried chicken. I guess that’s a dish that should be in everyone’s repertoire. Thanks for doing the hard work to make fried chicken possible (I have another recipe but don’t like it much).
Hungarian fried chicken? *Ears perked up!* I once joked that I should do a “around the world with fried chicken” series 🙂 I am yet to meet a fried chicken from anywhere that I don’t love!
Hi Nagi! So I’m just *a little* bit excited that you’ve blogged about my recipe! I’ve had a very challenging day at work and seeing your post on FB as I was scrolling through, ironically waiting for our KFC chicken to cook (spooky timing!) it made my day. Thanks so much for sharing and as always, love reading through your blog 🙂
Thanks so much Jo, for sharing an amazing recipe!! I really think you nailed the 11 secret herbs and spices 🙂 Honestly, I’ve tried many many combinations over the years, yours is by far the closest and most authentic!! 🙂
My husband loves KFC as well, Nagi. I bought chicken tenders on sale last week so will defrost and marinate right away. I never deep fry stuff (to his dismay), and look forward to surprising him tonight with this version. I’ll report back tomorrow!
Ooh! Marlene! I am holding my breathe in anticipation!! I have never shared this recipe with anyone before, I’m kinda nervous! <3
Well, no need to be nervous, Nagi! This was easy and yummy. Mr. Fussy loved it. I made a honey sriracha sauce with it. I baked it at 375 in a convection oven. A few minutes at 400 would have made it crispier and even better. Another winner that I will make again. This would also be good cut in smaller pieces and served as an appetizer.
Ooh! I’m so glad!! I made this 3 times in ONE WEEK, I’m obsessed with this!!
Thanks Nagi!! I cannot wait to try this!
As one of your biggest fans from KY I’m sure it is just as delish as everything else of yours I have made!
We here in KY do love the colonel’s chicken too but the greasy part not so much ;-). So excited to have this recipe. Will let you know how it goes.
Hi Jan! Thank you so much for your lovely message! 🙂 I do hope you love this!! Keen to hear what you think! 🙂
Hi Nagi! I really hate frying food because it is so messy and it almost always upsets my stomach. Plus by “oven frying” there is no need to constantly watch it! I am addicted to honey mustard dip/dressing! Some addictions are a good thing! 🙂
I must admit, I LOVE fried food! For me, it’s the mess I hate. 🙂 And I always feel like using so much oil is such a waste!
OMG Nagi, this is beyond amazing! I like KFC but always find it too greasy so I can’t stand their fried chicken anymore. This recipe is awesome and saving my trip to KFC 🙂
Thanks Linda! I forgot to mention that added benefit – no need to make the trek to KFC to get your fix!!! 🙂
Oh this looks amazing. So crispy and delicious!!!
I kid you not, today I have been playing about trying to perfect a method for baking my popcorn chicken recipe.
It is an occasional treat I make for the boys as it does really have to be deep fried to get the KFC style puff and crunch.
I came to the same conclusion as you that it is impossible to do it with a small amount of oil. I will have to try you crumb mix with my popcorn herb and spice blend. It could be the answer to my popcorn prayers 😉
So pinning this!!!!!!!! My boys are going to love you. Well love you a little bit more as your apple pie bites are one of their utter favs!!!
OMG! Shriek! We are TOTALLY in sync, I have been trying to make popcorn chicken in the oven too! I’ll email you about it – it would be soooo fun if we could come up with a collaborated recipe! Ha ha! <3
YES!!! In sync as we are both cheese nibbling, fried chicken gobbling, carb loving foodies 🙂
That would be amazing 🙂
I emailed you about your fabulous photography book 🙂 x