Cornflake Chicken

When the craving for fried chicken hits, nothing but the real thing will satisfy it. The crispy, succulent juiciness of fried chicken is what makes it so incredibly popular in countries all over the world. Sadly, all that yumminess comes at a cost. On average, one breaded and fried chicken breast has 525 calories, 16 grams of saturated fat, and 188 milligrams of cholesterol.

If those numbers frighten you, I have good news: You don’t have to give up on the dream of crispy drumsticks bursting with juicy goodness. This cornflake chicken recipe significantly reduces the calories, fat, and cholesterol by baking instead of frying. But that’s not the most exciting part. Unlike so many baked chicken recipes, this cornflake chicken is as deliciously crunchy and flavorful as its less-healthy fried cousin, and yes, it will satisfy your craving.

Ingredients for Cornflake Chicken

• Butter: Melted butter coats the baking dish to keep the chicken from sticking to the pan. The butterfat also coats the cornflakes, allowing them to bake to a beautiful golden brown.
• Cornflakes: The granddaddy of breakfast cereals, cornflakes are naturally light and crispy, and when they’re crushed and seasoned, they make a coating for the chicken.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works as a binder, ensuring the cornflakes adhere to the chicken.
• Seasoned salt: It’s essential for that fried chicken flavor, and you can use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own.
• Egg substitute: For this recipe, we use egg substitute to keep the calories, cholesterol and fat down. However, if you don’t have egg substitute, or you prefer real eggs, substitute three large, beaten eggs for the cornflake binder.
• Chicken: Drumsticks and bone-in thighs are called for in this recipe, as they retain the most moisture when baking.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the pan

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the melted butter into a 9×13-inch baking dish, tilting to cover the bottom of the dish.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken coating

In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes, flour and seasoned salt, mixing until they’re combined. In a second shallow bowl, add the egg substitute.

Step 3: Coat the chicken

Dip each piece of chicken into the egg substitute, then roll it in the cornflake mixture. Shake off any excess cornflakes, then repeat the process for a double coating.

Step 4: Bake the cornflake chicken

Arrange the coated chicken in the baking dish, with the meatier side down. Place the baking dish in the oven on the center rack, and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, turn the chicken over, and place it back into the oven, baking until a thermometer reaches 170° to 175°, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Cornflake Chicken Variations

• Turn up the heat: Give your cornflake chicken a little fire by making it Nashville hot chicken, or serve it with a zesty Buffalo sauce.
• Make them boneless: For a more kid-friendly variation, use boneless, skinless thighs, and cut them into finger- or bite-sized nuggets.
• Why stop at chicken? Cornflake chicken doesn’t have to be chicken at all. Make the same recipe but sub in pork chops or catfish fillets for some variety.

How to Store Cornflake Chicken

Once it’s cool, you can store cornflake chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. To reheat, place the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes until it crisps up and is heated through.

Can you freeze cornflake chicken?

Yes, this cornflake chicken will freeze well if it’s stored in an airtight container, and it will keep for up to three months. The chicken can be reheated from frozen in the oven or the air fryer until it’s cooked through and crispy on the outside.

Cornflake Chicken Tips

How can I make sure my cornflake baked chicken will be juicy?

The cornflake crust helps keep the moisture inside the chicken while baking, allowing for a juicy final product. However, brining the chicken ahead of time will also go a long way to ensure it won’t dry out while it’s cooked.

How can I be sure my chicken won’t stick to the pan?

The buttered baking dish should prevent sticking, but another solution would be to place the coated chicken on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Spray the rack with cooking spray, then bake according to the recipe.

What should I serve with cornflake chicken?

Cornflake chicken is so versatile that there are almost endless side dish pairings. With so many options, a guide offering some suggestions would be nice. Oh wait, we have one: the best side dishes to serve with fried chicken.