Pat the Chicken Dry: Thoroughly pat each piece of chicken dry with paper towels.
Prepare Buttermilk Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce (if using).
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Whisk well.
Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, and dredge again in the flour mixture. Press to coat well.
Let Chicken Rest: Place coated chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Let rest for at least 20 minutes (up to an hour in the refrigerator).
Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour 1/4 cup of vegetable oil onto the parchment paper and spread evenly.
Place Chicken on Baking Sheet: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
Drizzle with Remaining Oil: Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of vegetable oil over the top of the chicken pieces.
Bake: Bake for 30 minutes.
Flip: Carefully flip the chicken pieces over.
Continue Baking: Continue baking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Optional: Broil: For extra crispiness, broil for the last 1-2 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Let Rest: Remove from oven and transfer chicken to a wire rack. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
Don’t overcrowd the pan; bake in batches if necessary.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C).
Adjust baking time as needed based on your oven and chicken size.
Experiment with spices to your liking.
To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
For spicy chicken, add more cayenne pepper or use a spicier hot sauce.
For honey garlic chicken, brush with a mixture of honey and garlic after baking.
For lemon herb chicken, add lemon zest and fresh herbs to the flour mixture.