Fried chicken is one of my biggest weaknesses, so naturally I've been perfecting this lighter version for years. I've managed to achieve the same crispy golden texture you get from frying from my oven. Yep, it's skinnier, easier, quicker, and (bonus) there's no greasy mess to clean up. Soaking the chicken overnight (sometimes two nights) in a buttermilk bath is a must for meat that's moist and juicy. To easily remove the skin from the drumsticks, use one paper towel to grasp the joint end and a second one to pull off the skin.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4

　　

Chicken:

8 chicken drumsticks (about 3 1/2 ounces each), skinned

　　1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

　　1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

　　1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

　　1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

　　1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　1 cup buttermilk

　　Juice of 1/2 lemon

　　Cooking spray or oil mister coating

　　

Coating:

2/3 cup panko bread crumbs

　　1/2 cup crushed cornflake crumbs

　　2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

　　1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

　　1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

　　1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika

　　1/2 teaspoon onion powder

　　1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

　　1/4 teaspoon chili powder

　　

For the chicken:

Step 1

In a medium bowl, season the chicken with the salt, paprika, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour the buttermilk and lemon juice over the chicken and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, preferably overnight.

　　

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a rack on a baking sheet and lightly spray with oil.

　　

For the coating:

Step 3

In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, cornflake crumbs, Parmesan, salt, parsley, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder.

　　

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, dredge each piece in the crumb mixture, and put the pieces onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray the tops of the chicken with oil.

　　

Step 5

Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes.

　　

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories 294 Fat 8.5 g Saturated fat 2.5 g Cholesterol 182 mg Carbohydrate 12 g Fiber 1 g Protein 41 g Sugars 2 g Sodium 709 mg

　　#### Nutritional analysis provided by Other

　　##### Per serving (2 drumsticks)

　　Reprinted from The Skinnytaste Cookbook, by Gina Homolka, with Heather K. Jones, R.D., Copyright © 2014, published by Clarkson Potter.As a busy mother of two, Gina Homolka started Skinnytaste.com when she wanted to lose a few pounds. In the her wildly anticipated debut cookbook, The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor, Gina Homolka gives her fans exactly what they want: 150 easy, flavorful recipes that are miraculously low calorie and made from all-natural, easy-to-find ingredients. With 125 all-new dishes and 25 must-have favorites, it takes only one look to see why people go crazy for Gina's food.