Mediterranean KFC-Style Fried Chicken

This Mediterranean KFC-Style Fried Chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. We prepare this crispy chicken with bone-in chicken pieces, Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, whole wheat breadcrumbs, almond flour, Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, cumin, and other Mediterranean herbs and spices. This crispy chicken contains approximately 11 g net carbs and 410 calories. We bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep frying. This Mediterranean KFC-Style Fried Chicken is perfect for family dinners, weekend meals, meal prep, picnics, lunch boxes, and special gatherings. We can refrigerate the cooked chicken for 4 days or freeze it for 3 months, so you can prepare it earlier. Serve this Mediterranean KFC-Style Fried Chicken with Greek Salad, Tzatziki, Lemon Herb Quinoa, Roasted Vegetables, or Whole Wheat Couscous.

STATS:

• Course: Main Course
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Serving Size: 2 chicken pieces
• Cooking Mode: Oven
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy
• Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

TOOLS:

• Bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Baking tray
• Wire rack
• Tongs
• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer

INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN:

• 8 bone-in chicken pieces
• 1 tsp black pepper
• One cup Greek yogurt
• Lemon juice, two tbsp.
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp turmeric

COATING:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ¾ cup almond flour
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• One tsp. garlic powder
• Half a tsp of sea salt
• Onion powder, one tsp.
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil

SERVING:

• Olive oil spray
• parsley
• Lemon wedges

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

CHICKEN:

• We use bone-in chicken pieces because they stay juicy and flavorful during cooking.

BREADCRUMBS:

• Whole wheat breadcrumbs create a crispy, golden coating with added fiber. You can replace them with whole-grain panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

ALMOND FLOUR:

• Almond flour helps make the coating crisp while adding healthy fats and a nutty flavor. You can substitute it with oat flour or sunflower seed flour.

OLIVE OIL:

• Olive oil provides healthy Mediterranean fats and helps the coating crisp up. You can use avocado oil instead.

SMOKED PAPRIKA:

• Smoked paprika gives the chicken its smoky flavor and rich color.

LEMON JUICE:

• The marinade is made brighter and the chicken is made more tender by the addition of fresh lemon juice. Lime juice works as an excellent substitute.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, garlic, pepper, paprika, and turmeric in the bowl.
2. Include chicken and coat well, then refrigerate for two hours after covering.
3. Include all the coating ingredients in another bowl and coat all the chicken pieces with this mixture.
4. Cool the coated mixture for ten minutes, then warm the oven to 425°F.
5. Place the chicken on a wire rack over the tray and spray with olive oil.
6. Bake the dish for 20 minutes, and bake for another 20 minutes after flipping.
7. Finally, serve the chicken with lemon wedges and parsley once it has cooled for five minutes.

TIPS:

• Marinate the chicken overnight to get the best taste in the recipe..
• Put the chicken on the wire rack to make it extra crispy.
• Do not add too many pieces on the tray while baking.
• Coat the chicken pieces using olive oil and then bake.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH SALADS:

• Greek Salad
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Arugula Salad
• Tabbouleh

GRAIN & RICE SIDES:

• Lemon Herb Quinoa
• Brown Rice Pilaf
• Whole Wheat Couscous
• Bulgur Wheat Pilaf
• Herbed Wild Rice

ROASTED VEGETABLES:

• Garlic Roasted Broccoli
• Herb-Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Zucchini
• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Garlic Green Beans

MEDITERRANEAN DIPS:

• Tzatziki
• Classic Hummus
• Baba Ganoush
• Whipped Feta Dip
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put this crispy chicken in a closed box and stock it for 3 days.

FREEZER:

• Store this crispy chicken for about 3 months.

FAQs:

May we prepare this crispy chicken gluten-free?

• Yes, you can use non-gluten breadcrumbs.

Could we omit the Parmesan cheese?

• Yes, you can use extra almond flour or nutritional yeast.

Will we prepare this crispy chicken earlier?

• Yes, you can marinate the chicken one day beforehand and then bake.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS:

Calories: 410 kcal

Sodium: 520 mg

Overall Carbs: 14 g

Fat: 23 g

Protein: 38 g

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 3 g

Net Carbs: 11 g

Serving Size: 2 chicken pieces