Extra Crispy Irish Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Extra Crispy Irish Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe offers tender, juicy chicken with a perfectly crispy panko breadcrumb coating baked to golden perfection in the oven. Marinated in buttermilk and seasoned with smoked paprika, thyme, and garlic powder, these chicken thighs are flavorful and irresistibly crunchy without the need for deep frying.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
Breading Mixture
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, submerge the chicken thighs in buttermilk and let them marinate for at least 15 minutes. This step tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor.
- Prepare the breading mix: In a shallow dish, thoroughly combine the panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and garlic powder to create a well-seasoned coating.
- Coat the chicken: Remove each chicken thigh from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Then dredge each piece carefully and evenly in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange and add butter: Place the breaded chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of each piece to help achieve extra crispiness during baking.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken thighs in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety. Serve hot for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Marinating in buttermilk enhances tenderness and flavor; if time allows, marinate longer for deeper flavor.
- Using panko breadcrumbs gives a lighter and crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Drizzling melted butter before baking helps achieve a golden, crispy crust without frying.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or drying out the chicken.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mix for mild heat.
Keywords: Irish fried chicken, crispy chicken thighs, oven-fried chicken, baked crispy chicken, panko chicken recipe
