Friday, September 16, 2011

Oven "Fried" Chicken

I've been trying out a variety of new chicken recipes. To be honest, I always have chicken on hand, and had found myself in a rut doing the same old chicken breast-with-random seasoning song-and-dance. So, I decided to mix things up with some twists on classics and modern flavors (more to come!).

One of my all-time favorite foods is fried chicken (God Bless the South). But, if I eat it, I will fall into a bliss-filled food coma almost immediately. Unfortunately, I can't afford to be put in a greasy stupor these days, so this recipe is a healthy and delicious substitute for my favorite Southern classic.

It starts out the same way as a traditional fried chicken recipe, with a long soak in a buttermilk marinade. Then, it is breaded with crushed corn flakes, but instead of being fried, it is baked in the oven! It's a wonderful preparation, because you get the wonderfully crunchy texture, without all of the calories. The marinade is based on spices that I really like, and gives it an excellent flavor, but of course it can be modified to your taste/what you have available. Same goes with corn flake breading. Also, this chicken goes very well with my Orzo Stuffed Peppers. Hope you enjoy!