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This moist and tender Buttermilk Baked Chicken is not only quick and easy to make for family dinner, but it is the perfect new comfort food.
Everyone knows buttermilk fried chicken is like the ultimate comfort food.
I mean, serve me a plate with some smashed potatoes and collard greens alongside a homemade buttermilk biscuit and you can call me a happy girl. The problem is that fried chicken isn’t exactly the healthiest choice. Plus, if you’re anything like me, deep frying doesn’t happen too terribly often in my kitchen. That’s why I love making this buttermilk baked chicken.
A lot of the time with chicken breasts, I prefer to tenderize them by smashing with a mallet. There are so many benefits to cooking chicken like this. First, there are few things more satisfying than hitting something like meat with a mallet. If you’ve never tried it, you must do so and then report back. Have a bad day? No problem! Just beat the heck out of your dinner! Second, by making the meat a uniform thickness, it not only cooks faster (hello, weekday dinner) but it ensures a tender and moist piece of chicken rather than one that is moist on one end and dried on the other.
Buttermilk is my secret weapon of choice in the kitchen. I use it in all sorts of recipes like pancakes and mashed potatoes, but it also works phenomenally to coat things like these chicken breasts. No need for a hot pan of oil with tonight’s dinner!
The combination of panko and parmesan give the chicken the perfect texture and flavor. Nothing browns up more beautifully than parmesan cheese! I add just a few spices to the mix to give this chicken the perfect flavor.
Next time you’re in need of a quick dinner that your entire family will love, be sure to add this buttermilk baked chicken to your list of go-to recipes!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Set each breast in between two layers of plastic wrap and flatten to 3/4 inch thickness by using a mallet or rolling pin. Soak chicken in 1 cup buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
- In a shallow dish, combine remaining ingredients. Shake excess buttermilk off each piece of chicken and coat in the bread mixture.1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1 cup parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in preheated 400 degree F oven for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Anyone use a Air Fryer to cook these? Looks like it could be done.
I haven’t but you can absolutely use the air fryer!
I loved it as written. Like the idea to try with some hotsauce to give some kick or add other flavors like dried mustard. I saved on some dishes as I pounded the chicken in a ziplock freezer bag and then added the marinade to the back. Closed up and put in the fridge.
How does it turn out if you skip the breaded step and just bake using the buttermilk marinade?
For me, I have to have the crispy coating. It adds flavor and texture but also keeps the chicken moist.
Hi is the Parmesan n grated or shredded?
Either works, but finely grated works best.
This was delicious. I added a little hot sauce to the buttermilk and let it marinate for about 4 hours. Chicken was so incredibly tender! Made extra to serve on a salad for lunch the next day. A definite keeper.
After letting sit in buttermilk I mixed up Italian bread crumbs and lemon pepper bread crumbs and crispy friend onions black pepper and oregano crushed all that together and coated chicken baked for 20 mins 400 degree I didn’t have parmesan and the other stuff,so tried it this way.
I am cooking this recipe tonight,it smells good can’t wait to try it.Thank you for sharing
This recipe is delicious! I have to admit I skip the mallot step usually but did not because of your advice. It made a huge difference. Thanks for a new family favorite.
This was just SO SO good! The buttermilk gives a great flavor that my family couldn’t quite guess! Thanks for this yummy and easy dinner recipe!
I absolutely loved chicken, this recipe looks so yummy!!
This recipe is the first time I’ve ever had success with baking breaded chicken – I will definitely use this one again.