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Man-Catchin’ Oven Baked Fried Chicken

Amazing oven baked fried chicken that is as close to deep fried as you're ever going to get! Check out the secret to a fabulous crispy skin!
4.94 from 59 vote(s)132 comments
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I did NOT NAME this Man-Catching Oven Baked Fried Chicken, I’m just putting that out there right now off the bat! This is one of the oldest and most popular oven baked fried chicken recipes on my website and this was named Man Catchin’ chicken by someone on Facebook years and years ago and the name has STUCK with everyone! Sorry not sorry, I find it hilarious!

Close up of Oven Baked Fried Chicken on a floral Plate

The Best Oven Baked Fried Chicken Recipe

I have been meaning to re-shoot the photos and republish this recipe for years now. I think it is one of the most under-loved recipes on my entire website, I keep thinking to myself ” If only everyone knew how delicious and easy this chicken is!” So now I’m bringing my oven baked chicken back, with a brand new name.

I’d like to thank Kristina’s husband ( I’ll fill this in with a name if he comes forward later) for the name. When she told me on my Facebook Page that she was making my oven baked chicken that her husband called ” Man Catching Chicken” and everyone started calling it that….. I knew that it was getting a new name. Who’s going to argue with a bunch of my readers on Facebook? Not this blogger!

How to Make Oven Baked Chicken

  • Whisk together the first five ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Grease a baking sheet large enough for 8 pieces of chicken and set aside.
  • Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Line up your bowls and your baking sheet in this order from right to left; egg, flour, then baking sheet.
  • First, dip your chicken into the flour mixture and cover it completely. Dip it into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture again for a second coat.
  • Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Place in fridge for half an hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Melt the margarine ( or butter!) and drizzle evenly over the top of the chicken pieces.Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken reaches the appropriate temperature (165 for Breast meat, 180 for dark meat) Remove and serve!

Oven Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

You are all probably aware that my least favorite cut of chicken to bake is chicken breasts, but this chicken recipe makes the BEST oven baked chicken breasts, bar none. The batter keeps in the moisture and bakes up perfectly. You can even make chicken breast tenders if you want, simply follow the instructions and use strips of chicken breast and reduce the cooking time. I would use skin on chicken breasts for this recipe for the best results, skin off would have a coating and work as well, but it won’t be crispy.

close up Oven Baked Chicken Breast on plate
Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Important Tips & Cooking Advice For Oven Fried Chicken

  • I USED to tell everyone not to use butter because it would burn. I LIED hahaha! Thank you to all my readers that tested this recipe over the past 8 years and have weighed in. Hey, I was a fledgling blogger, what did I know way back then? Heck, what do I even know now….
  • MAKE SURE to let the chicken sit in the fridge for half an hour. This guarantees a crispy skin that doesn’t fall off right away! This I have never, ever been wrong on and I will stick by my advice! This is the scientific magic that helps this be the best oven fried chicken ever!
  • This recipe is probably the best one to make oven fried chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are my least favorite cuts of chicken to oven bake, to be honest. They dry out so easily. This recipe helps prevent chicken breasts from being too dry.
Crispy Oven Baked Fried Chicken Breast on a white plate with floral design
Oven Baked Fried Chicken Breast

What are the best chicken pieces to use in this recipe?

You can use any and all chicken pieces from chicken thighs, to chicken breasts and even chicken drumsticks! I would dare say that you can even try making chicken wings with it and I think I’ve been inspired to try! Whatever cut of chicken you have on hand, you can use and this recipe will be a success!

So here is an oldie goldie of a recipe you guys! I love a good walk down memory lane – it’s quite the long memory lane when you have been blogging for almost a decade now! Sheesh. We are getting old together, aren’t we?

Here are some other chicken recipes that you might like to try:

  1. Air Fryer Fried Chicken
  2. Chex Oven Fried Chicken ( Gluten Free)
  3. Rosemary Lemon Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
  4. Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
  5. Oven Fried Potato Chip Chicken

Love you more than chocolate,

Karlynn

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Man Catching Oven Fried Chicken

Amazing oven baked fried chicken that is as close to deep fried as you’re ever going to get! Check out the secret to a fabulous crispy skin!
4.94 from 59 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 168kcal

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/3 cups of flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup of margarine ( or butter!! it works!)
  • 8 pieces of your choice of chicken, SKIN ON

Instructions

  • Whisk together the first five ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
  • Grease a baking sheet large enough for 8 pieces of chicken and set aside,
  • Beat the eggs in a small bowl.
  • Line up your bowls and your baking sheet in this order from right to left; egg, flour, then baking sheet.
  • First, dip your chicken into the flour mixture and cover it completely.
  • Dip it into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture again for a second coat.
  • Place on the baking sheet.
  • Repeat with all chicken pieces.
  • Place in fridge for half an hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Melt the margarine ( or butter!) and drizzle evenly over the top of the chicken pieces.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken reaches the appropriate temperature (165 for Breast meat, 180 for dark meat)
  • Remove and serve!

Video

Notes

Nutrition facts are calculated using eight skin on baked chicken breasts, however you will want to mix and match eight pieces of drumsticks, thighs and breast pieces in this recipe.

Tips and Tricks

  • I USED to tell everyone not to use butter because it would burn. I LIED hahaha! Thank you to all my readers that tested this recipe over the past 8 years and have weighed in. Hey, I was a fledgling blogger, what did I know way back then? Heck, what do I even know now….
  • MAKE SURE to let the chicken sit in the fridge for half an hour. This guarantees a crispy skin that doesn’t fall off right away! This I have never, ever been wrong on and I will stick by my advice! This is the scientific magic that helps this be the best oven fried chicken ever!
  • This recipe is probably the best one to make oven fried chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are my least favorite cuts of chicken to oven bake, to be honest. They dry out so easily. This recipe helps prevent chicken breasts from being too dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1831mg | Potassium: 60mg | Vitamin A: 445IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheKitchenMagpie or tag #thekitchenmagpie!

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS RECIPE to your Chicken Recipes or Dinner Ideas Boards and REMEMBER TO FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!

Readers have declared this " Man Catchin" Fried Chicken - I'd dare say it would catch anyone! This is the BEST oven fried chicken you will ever make, guaranteed! #chicken #chickenrecipe #ovenbaked #friedchicken #ovenbakedchicken #chickenbreast #chickenthigh

Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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Reader Interactions

Comments & Recipe Tips Share a tip or comment!

  1. DeeDee2003 says

    I have made this twice now. I use butter, as my family doesn’t like margarine. I have not had any issues thus far. Thanks for sharing this fantastic and easy recipe.

    5 stars

  2. Elizabeth Personeni says

    Do I have to use margarine to get the same texture result? Or can I use straight up butter?

  3. Kristina Craig says

    I absolutely LOVE the name of this chicken! Someone really witty must have pointed you in that direction \U0001f609

    5 stars

  4. Lori Bergman says

    I love the title…and boo to all those that can’t have a laugh!! 🙂

    5 stars

  5. BeckyAdams says

    I don’t user margarine. Thinking coconut oil would work. Sounds (and looks!) so good!

  6. The Kitchen Magpie says

    HA your husband? I kid, I kid…..seriously though, it’s the best name EVER!

  7. The Kitchen Magpie says

    Kimberley Tremblay Are you going crazy with the love emojis today?

  8. Kimberley Tremblay says

    LOVE this! (the sarcasm!!!) And clicked the new emojiiiii to show i LOVE it!! woot lol

  9. The Kitchen Magpie says

    Haha Eileen Bulger!!! Well, it IS sinfully good 😉

  10. Eileen Bulger says

    So if I’m married, I better not make this. That might be adultery, right\U0001f604

  11. RosaB says

    This recipe is so delicious, yet very simple! It’s so simple in fact, that my 10 yr. old son made these! 🙂 We did them with chicken tenders and baked them only 20 minutes. We all loved them!! This is a new favorite! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! 

    5 stars

  12. NyteShayde says

    The recipe is interesting, but the title is repulsive

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      @NyteShayde Pretty sure that a) you’ll get over it or b) enjoy some funny tongue-in-cheek recipe titling. 

  13. GoMa to 2 says

    I’ve been making oven fried chicken for over 50 years and husband still loves it.  Can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.  You are right.  You have to use margarine and not butter!

    5 stars

  14. Faith says

    Made this last night and it was FANTASTIC!! I used 4 chicken breasts for the husband and myself and then made a package of chicken tenders for the little one. A huge hit all around. Tasted amazing, no additional seasoning needed and the crisp crust was unreal. The best baked “fried” chicken I’ve ever made. Definitely going into my recipe rotation. Thank you for a fool-proof, outstanding recipe!!

    5 stars

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      @Faith You are welcome! I love when my recipes become favorites! Supper can be so tough sometimes! 

  15. MichelleMLittle says

    Definitely want to try this one out!!  Yum!  Will have to by margarine though… is there really no alternative?

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      _u*********@li******.com" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/44080693/" ns="true">MichelleMLittle Other than oil, there’s nothing that has a high enough smoke point and also tastes good. It’s better than drenching it in oil LOL! Butter would taste better but burns.

    • Faith says

      _u*********@li******.com" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/44080693/" ns="true">MichelleMLittle I used regular unsalted butter and chilled it with the chicken and it worked perfectly for me. 

      5 stars

  16. Faye29 says

    Just cooked this today and it was fantastic, I used 4 chicken thighs and the batter indeed stayed on and it crisped up beautifully, will be making this more often now : ) thanks for a great, simple tasty recipe karlynn

    5 stars

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      _u*********@li******.com" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/70932638/" ns="true">Faye29 I’m so glad that you liked it! It’s my favorite!

  17. Faye29 says

    Hi karlynn, could you leave this for longer than half an hour in the fridge. Would love to know if I could prep it all then leave in fridge and bake it when ready, Thankyou Faye

  18. Nicole Ebbesen Rowan says

    By “man catching” are you referring to Gerard Butler? Just need to know if I should warn Duane….

    5 stars

  19. Kristina Craig says

    Hahaha! This is so funny! I did not catch my husband with this chicken though he is combined that’s how you hooked your husband, Karlynn!

    5 stars

  20. Kristina Craig says

    Stupid phone. Convinced not combined. Lol.

  21. The Kitchen Magpie says

    Not yet! If you have a favorite, send it on!

  22. Lakeisha Hutton says

    Dwl Man catching! Will be testing it out.

4.94 from 59 votes

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