Fried chicken is often a family favorite, but the cooking process can be complicated and cumbersome. These oven-roasted thighs simplify the process without sacrificing flavor. They cook in about an hour and come out of the oven just as crispy and juicy.
The flour is seasoned with paprika and poultry seasoning and a little curry powder for interesting variety. The chicken is dredged in the seasoned flour, placed on a baking sheet with melted butter and baked until crispy in a hot oven. The recipe is suitable for chicken thighs (bone-in) and whole chicken thighs (hind quarters).
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 pkg. ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 4-5 dashes of hot sauce
• 1/2 C. all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 5-6 chicken legs
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 T. pickle juice
• 1 C. buttermilk
• 1 T. veg. oil
• 1 T. butter
INSTRUCTIONS:
Whisk together the buttermilk, pickle juice and hot sauce. Place the chicken in a leak proof container and pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken and place in the fridge for 2 hours. Using a ziploc bag combine the flour, ranch mix and seasonings. Place the oil and butter in the bottom of a large iron skillet and place in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees allowing the oil and butter to heat up as the oven preheats. Once the oil is good and hot remove the skillet and take each chicken leg and shake it in the flour mixture and using tongs to remove, shake off excess flour and place in the skillet. You will here it sizzle a little, repeat with remaining chicken. Place back in the oven for 35-45 minutes, rotating the chicken about every 10 minutes to brown on all sides. Cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken legs you are using, just check with a meat thermometer to reach 160 degrees. Remove the chicken to a paper sack or towel lined plate. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
