I still remember the day Mrs. Gravedoni shared this recipe with me at our neighborhood potluck. As I bit into the most perfectly crispy chicken I’d ever tasted, I was shocked to learn her secret ingredient wasn’t expensive breadcrumbs or a complicated technique – it was humble instant potato flakes! That first bite changed my chicken-making game forever, and I’m thrilled to share this budget-friendly miracle with you.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Potato flakes create an incredibly crunchy coating that locks in moisture, superior to traditional breadcrumbs
- The double-coating technique ensures maximum crispiness in every bite
- A blend of spices creates a depth of flavor that will have everyone reaching for seconds
- Budget-friendly recipe that works perfectly with less expensive chicken cuts like thighs and legs
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Olive oil – Creates a crispier exterior when sprayed or drizzled before baking
- Chicken pieces (thighs and legs) – Form the protein base of the dish, and remains juicy while the coating crisps
- Instant potato flakes – Creates an exceptionally crispy coating that traditional breadcrumbs can’t match
- Eggs – Acts as the binding agent that helps the coating adhere to the chicken
- Milk – Thins the egg mixture for easier coating and adds a touch of richness
- Garlic powder – Adds savory depth that enhances the overall flavor profile
- Steak seasoning – Provides a complex blend of spices for a robust flavor
- Onion powder – Contributes sweet and savory notes without the texture of fresh onions
- Paprika – Adds a mild peppery flavor and beautiful reddish color to the coating
- Salt – Enhances all the other flavors in the dish
- Black pepper – Adds subtle heat and depth to the seasoning blend
Seasoning instant potato flakes with garlic powder, steak seasoning, onion powder, paprika, and more is a delicious way to flavor chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the 4 ounces of butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and put the dish in the oven until the butter melts completely.
Creating the Coating Mixture
- In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup instant potato flakes, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, and 1 teaspoon steak seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
Coating the Chicken
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to help the coating stick better.
- Coat each piece of chicken in the potato flake mixture, pressing gently to ensure the flakes adhere well.
- Lightly spray the coated chicken with cooking spray.
- Coat the chicken pieces a second time with the seasoning mix for an extra-crispy finish.
Baking
- Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the pan with the melted butter.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Turn the chicken pieces over and bake for another 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help the juices redistribute.
This recipe is a perfect budget minded dinner. You can often purchase chicken thighs and legs so much cheaper than chicken breasts or wings. Guess what, they taste just as good. I have even purchased leg quarters and given them a quick cut to turn them into legs and thigh pieces to cook.
Thanks to Mrs. Gravedoni, we have a wonderfully simple chicken recipe. Cut-up chicken costs less than a package of chicken breast. This recipe is so easy to make with instant mashed potato flakes and a few simple ingredients from your spice cabinet that you can have dinner easily. Mrs. Gravedone says this easily made crispy baked chicken is very flavorful and is her husband’s favorite.
Special thanks to Mrs. Gravedoni for sharing this recipe. I have enjoyed this so much!
Crispy Potato Flake Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 ounces butter
- 1 cup instant potato flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 1 3-4 pound whole chicken cut into pieces (breasts, thighs, and legs)
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and put the dish in the oven until the butter melts.
- Combine the potato flakes, black pepper, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and steak seasoning in a shallow dish.
- Coat each piece of chicken in the potato flake mixture. Lightly spray the coated chicken with cooking spray and then coat it again with the seasoning mix for an extra-crispy finish.
- Arrange the chicken pieces in the pan with the melted butter and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken over and bake for another 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This chicken freezes beautifully! Place cooled pieces in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: For maximum crispiness, reheat on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it will make the coating soggy.
Favorite chicken recipes to make
- Captain Crunch Chicken
- Chili’s Chicken Crispers
- Cracker Barrel Chicken Fried Chicken
- Olive Garden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Outback Bloomin Fried Chicken
- Ritz Cracker Chicken
Check out more of my easy recipes for chicken and the best budget-friendly recipes on CopyKat!
what about the other half stick of butter?
Put it back in the fridge because you only need 4 oz (Half of a stick) of butter