WW-Friendly Oven “Fried” Chicken

 

🍗 WW-Friendly Oven “Fried” Chicken: Crispy, Juicy, and Light on Points

Craving crispy, golden fried chicken but trying to stay on track with your WW (Weight Watchers) goals? Good news: you don’t need to sacrifice flavor — or your daily points — to enjoy this classic comfort food.

Introducing: WW-Friendly Oven “Fried” Chicken — crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and completely guilt-free. This lightened-up version skips the deep fryer and uses wholesome ingredients to keep the flavor high and the points low.

Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or satisfying a Southern-style craving without blowing your plan.

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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Lower in points but full of flavor

• ✅ Crispy texture thanks to oven baking and clever coating

• ✅ Kid-friendly and picky-eater approved

• ✅ Easy to customize with your favorite herbs and spices

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📝 WW-Friendly Oven “Fried” Chicken Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Points (per serving): Approximately 3–5 WW Points (depending on your plan and ingredients)

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🍗 Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed

• ½ cup low-fat buttermilk

• ¾ cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup cornmeal (adds extra crunch!)

• 1½ tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme (optional)

• Cooking spray

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken and buttermilk. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for more flavor).

2. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and place a wire rack on top (this helps crisp the bottom of the chicken). Spray rack lightly with cooking spray.

3. Make the Coating

In a shallow dish, mix panko, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and herbs.

4. Coat the Chicken

Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Press each piece into the breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly. Place on the wire rack.

5. Bake

Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. Bake for 30–35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and chicken is cooked through (internal temp of 165°F / 74°C).

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🥗 Serving Suggestions

Pair this WW-friendly fried chicken with:

• Roasted veggies or a green salad

• Mashed cauliflower or sweet potato mash

• Air-fried potatoes for that “fast food” feel — without the guilt

• A dollop of light ranch or Greek yogurt dip

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🧠 Tips for Success

• Use a wire rack for maximum crispiness — no soggy bottoms!

• Want it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the marinade.

• For even fewer points, use chicken breast tenders instead of thighs.

• Whole wheat panko = more fiber and fewer points than regular breadcrumbs.

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🌟 Final Thoughts

This oven “fried” chicken gives you all the comfort of the classic — with none of the deep-fried regret. It’s a WW-friendly recipe that doesn’t feel like a compromise, and once you try it, you’ll want to keep it in your regular rotation.

Crunchy, juicy, and loaded with flavor, this recipe proves that eating well doesn’t mean giving up your favorites — it just means learning to cook them smarter.