This Panko Herb Buttermilk Baked Chicken is everything you want in an easy dinner! Soaked in buttermilk for tenderness, coated in a herby, crunchy panko crust, and baked to golden perfection.

Crispy, juicy, and flavorful, these baked chicken thighs are marinated overnight in a garlicky, herby buttermilk mixture and coated in a crunchy panko crust. Your family will love the flavor of these chicken tenders so much that buttermilk will become a frequent addition to your grocery list.  The crunch of the panko breadcrumbs makes this the perfect bite!

Ingredients:

For the marinade:

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 cup buttermilk

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

For the Panko coating:

1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil 

Additions: Hot sauce for dipping, parmesan cheese, and buffalo sauce make great add-ons to this meal!  You can also add a teaspoon cayenne pepper for more spice!

Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet 

Mixing bowl and plastic wrap for the marinade

Instant-read thermometer 

Wire Rack ( optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl,  mix the buttermilk, garlic, chives, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken thighs, making sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a shallow dish, mix the panko, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil or melted butter and mix well.
3. Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and press it firmly into the panko mixture to coat all sides. You may have to do this step in batches.
4. Arrange the coated chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Serve.

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Panko Herb Buttermilk Chicken

This Panko Herb Buttermilk Baked Chicken is everything you want in an easy dinner! Soaked in buttermilk for tenderness, coated in a herby, crunchy panko crust, and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh chives
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Panko Coating

• 1.5 cups Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk, garlic, chives, thyme, salt, and pepper.  Add the chicken thighs, making sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

2. Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

3. In a shallow dish, mix the panko, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil or melted butter and mix well. 

4. Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and press it firmly into the panko mixture to coat all sides. You may have to do this step in batches. 

5. Arrange the coated chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

6. Serve.

Side dish ideas

Mashed Potatoes 

Roasted Broccoli Salad 

Mixed Vegetables 

Tater-Tots 

Baked Potato or baked sweet potato 

This chicken recipe can be also be made with boneless skinless chicken breasts.  Just marinate chicken cutlets in the buttermilk marinade and bake in the oven.  Your kids will love this recipe more than store bought chicken nuggets or chicken strips/chicken fingers.  This recipe is a good source of protein and calcium.

Have you tried this delicious buttermilk chicken? I would love to hear how this recipe turned out for you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how this recipe turned out for you!  You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.