Baked Buttermilk Chicken – Plain Chicken

Baked Buttermilk Chicken Recipe –  This easy-to-make recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken marinated in a luscious buttermilk blend and coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust. It’s the perfect comfort food! Say goodbye to frying and hello to a healthier, oven-baked version that’s just as delicious. Your family will be begging for seconds!

Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make purchases through links on our site.

Easy Baked Chicken Recipe

This Baked Buttermilk Chicken has been on repeat at our house. It is effortless to make and packed full of amazing flavor!! Chicken marinated overnight in buttermilk, honey, and garlic, then coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy! The chicken is super tender and juicy and tastes great. It’s comfort food at its finest, and you’ll be craving it again and again!

How to Make Buttermilk Chicken

This dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag. Whisk together buttermilk, garlic cloves, honey, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and place in the fridge for a few hours up to overnight.

Combine panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or plate. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and drain the excess. Coat chicken in the panko mixture on both sides. 

Place a wire rack on top of a baking tray. Place coated chicken on the wire rack. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven until the juices run clear and reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Garnish with parsley.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use any cut of chicken that you prefer.
  • Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders all work great.
  • You can use boneless chicken or bone-in chicken.
    • Chicken drumsticks or wings are delicious.
    • The bone-in chicken will take longer to cook. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature.
• What does soaking chicken in buttermilk do? Buttermilk is slightly acidic, so as the chicken marinates, the buttermilk breaks down the proteins in the chicken, tenderizing it.
  • There is no need to use all-purpose flour to coat the chicken. The thick texture of the buttermilk helps completely coat the chicken in the breadcrumbs so it crisps up well when baked.
• Feel free to adjust the seasonings in the panko mixture.
  • Cayenne pepper
  • onion powder
  • cajun seasoning
• Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

What to Serve with Buttermilk Chicken

This chicken is always a hit at our dinner table. The whole family gobbles it up and asks for seconds! When it comes to what to serve with this chicken, I have some delicious ideas for you. 

• I’d recommend starting with some creamy mashed potatoes, their velvety texture perfectly complementing the crispy chicken. 
• Add a helping of green beans for freshness and color. And don’t forget a dollop of zesty coleslaw to bring some tangy crunch to the meal. 
• Of course, don’t skimp on the homemade dipping sauces – perhaps a tangy ranch dressing and some honey mustard for a delightful contrast. 

Whether it’s a simple dinner or a gathering with friends and family, these side dishes complement the chicken beautifully, creating a well-rounded meal the whole family will love.

Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Potatoes

Million Dollar Potato Casserole

Million Dollar Potato Casserole – We are obsessed with this casserole! SO creamy & delicious! Frozen hash browns, cream of…

Vegetables

Slow Cooker Cheddar Corn

Slow Cooker Cheddar Corn – this stuff is AMAZING!! Just dump everything in the slow cooker and let it work…

Bread

Better than Jim ‘N Nick’s Cheesy Biscuits

Better than Jim ‘N Nick’s Cheese Biscuits – copycat recipe from the famous bar-b-q restaurant! Easy and delicious mini cheese…

Salads

Crunchy Romaine Toss

Crunchy Romaine Toss – CRAZY GOOD!!! Had this at a dinner party and everyone raved about it. I had to…

Baked Buttermilk Chicken

Yield: 4 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Baked Buttermilk Chicken Recipe –  This easy-to-make recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken marinated in a luscious buttermilk blend and coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust. It’s the perfect comfort food! Say goodbye to frying and hello to a healthier, oven-baked version that’s just as delicious. Your family will be begging for seconds!

Marinade

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

• Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag. Whisk together buttermilk, garlic cloves, honey, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and place in the fridge for a few hours up to overnight.

• Preheat oven to 400ºF.

• Combine panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or plate.

• Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and drain excess. Coat chicken in the panko mixture on both sides. 

• Place a wire rack on top of a baking tray. Place coated chicken on the wire rack. Lightly spray with cooking spray.

• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the juices run clear and reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Garnish with parsley.

• You can use any cut of chicken that you prefer. 
  • Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders all work great.
  • You can use boneless chicken or bone-in chicken. 
    • Chicken drumsticks or wings are delicious.
    • Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature.
• What does soaking chicken in buttermilk do? Buttermilk is slightly acidic, so as the chicken marinates, the buttermilk breaks down the proteins in the chicken, tenderizing it. 
  • There is no need to use all-purpose flour to coat the chicken. The buttermilk’s thick texture helps completely coat the chicken in the breadcrumbs so it crisps up well when baked.
• Feel free to adjust the seasonings in the panko mixture. 
  • Cayenne pepper
  • onion powder
  • cajun seasoning
• Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

Steph