Oven Fried Ranch Chicken

 I haven't been posting a lot lately because I barely have time to cook elaborate meals after giving birth to our first baby in June. However, I have been making simple meals that barely take any time and this has been our favorite for the last few months! The chicken is so juicy and it's healthier than eating fried chicken for dinner. 

Oven Fried Ranch Chicken

(Source: Food Network) 

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 sprigs thyme, leaves stripped and chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

3/4 teaspoons onion powder

3/4 teaspoons garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Kosher salt

2 (3-4 pound) chickens, each cut into 8 pieces

Cooking spray

3 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko)

1/3 cup chopped fresh chives

Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk the buttermilk, mayonnaise, half of the thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, the onion and garlic powders, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat; cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. 

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on each; coat the racks with cooking spray. Combine the breadcrumbs, chives, the remaining thyme and 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a shallow bowl. 

Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Put the white meat on one wire rack and the dark meat on the other rack, skin-side up. Coat the chicken with cooking spray. Transfer to the oven, placing the dark meat on the bottom oven rack; bake until the crust is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool slightly on wire racks, 10 minutes. Season with salt and eat.