Do you remember being a kid and wondering in the kitchen around dinner time to check out what your Mom was making and the sheer jubilation you’d feel when you unexpectedly found out it was something you LOVED? When I was growing up I secretly loved it when my Dad travelled for business because it meant when he got home he’d pull out gift-shop trinkets from his suitcase, we could sneak into Mom’s bed at night since there was an open spot, and we also got to have spaghetti for dinner. He didn’t like spaghetti, so as soon as he left, we’d start boiling noodles and we all loved spaghetti night. Another all-time favorite was French Dips, which we always make (and actually still make) with good sliced deli meat instead of our yummy slowcooker version. Chicken Divan is another classic family favorite, but if I had to pick just one- one meal that that I loved and adored, one meal that to this day the smell melts me into a pool of delicious nostalgia, it would undoubtedly be my Mother’s Rice Krispie Chicken.
Looking back I can see this meal is quick, easy, and inexpensive. My Mom probably made it up one day when rummaging through bare cupboards but to us it was magic. Tender juicy chicken is coated with the most buttery, savory topping that’s delicately crispy and soooo delicious.
When I was little my most favorite part of this meal was after dinner when everyone was going back and forth clearing the table and every time we passed by the pan on the counter picking off those little crispy, salty baked-on bits. Because those Rice Krispies are so delicate, they are able to soak up a little butter and turn into the most buttery crunch. It combines with the savory seasonings and the bite of tender chicken and the whole thing is just perfection.
Ingredients Needed
- chicken thighs – boneless, skinless. We recommend thighs over breasts or tenders for this recipe. The goal is fully cooked chicken and a golden, crispy topping. Breasts dry out if cooked past 165°F, so the topping may not finish in time. Thighs stay juicy even when cooked longer, allowing both the chicken and topping to turn out perfectly. Plus, their extra fat makes the coating even better.
- butter
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- lemon pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
- Preheat oven and prep chicken by trimming excess fat.
- Melt butter in one dish; lightly crush cereal in another.
- Dip chicken in butter, then coat the top with cereal and press gently.
- Place on a baking sheet, season with spices, and drizzle with any leftover butter.
- Bake until chicken is cooked through and coating is golden and crisp.
Storage & Other Tips
- Tip for keeping sogginess at bay: only dip the top side in cereal. My mom only dipped the top to save on calories, but honestly if you dip the bottom as well, it tends to get soggy, so just do the tops. I usually dip the top and then flip it over in my hand and use my fingers to crush on extra cereal and press it into the top. Basically getting in as much cereal as you can on there.
- Measure with your heart: I didn’t provide measurements for the seasonings, because so much of it depends on the size of your chicken. I’ve tried these with a lot of different seasoning combos, and you are certainly welcome to experiment at this point, but my favorite is still our classic family combo: Garlic powder, Lawry’s seasoned salt, lemon pepper, and onion powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Pat the chicken thoroughly with paper towels before baking to help the skin get golden and crackly.
We don’t recommend it. Chicken breasts get dry after they are cooked over 165°F, and typically the topping needs more time to finish at that point. Thighs will hold onto their juice and flavor much better when cooked over 165°F.
I’d recommend an oven or air-fryer, around 375°F. Try to avoid the microwave, it makes the skin soggy.
You can prep and season the chicken a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Bake just before serving for the best crispy texture.
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 stick butter 8 tablespoons
- rice krispie cereal
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- lemon pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Pat chicken dry and use a clean pair of kitchen shears (or a pair of regular scissors that's been washed with soap and hot water- just pop them in the dishwasher after) to trim off any excess fat.
- Melt butter in a shallow dish. Pour several cups of Rice Krispie cereal in a separate dish. Use your hands to very lightly crush the cereal just a few times.
- Dip each chicken piece in butter on both sides and then dip the top side in the cereal. Use your had to press a little more cereal onto the top and then place on a baking sheet.
- When all chicken pieces have been placed on the baking sheet, sprinkle all pieces with each spice (seasoning salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.) If there is any extra butter in your dish you can gently drizzle it over the chicken.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉, and also the cereal is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- You can make as much or as little chicken as you like! I included measurements on the chicken and butter so you know that I usually use 1 stick per about 8 thighs. When it comes to the cereal and seasonings, it’s not hard to eyeball and the exact amount will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
Questions & Reviews
I am going to try this tomorrow night! I also love that this is naturally Gluten Free!! Hooray!!
This looks delicious! I like to eat chicken and this recipe will be one of my favorite dish.
Oh I’m totally making this tonight. All I have thawed is bone-in thighs tho (leg quarters, actually… I’ll just cut em apart), but I’m gonna have to try it out anyway!!! Not one of your recipes have ever failed me. ?
My mother made nearly the same recipe, but instead of dipping in butter she used Italian salad dressing. It was definitely a family favorite.
Oh I bet that’s good, too!
I can’t wait to try these! Thighs for the win 🙂
Also, I’d love to know how to make French Dips with the good, sliced deli meat! I love French Dips with a roast, but the sliced kind sounds awesome (and maybe quicker), too!
It’s not hard- seriously just butter and toast buns and whip up a packet of ajus (I use McCormicks dry mix!). While the ajus is heating, butter and broil/toast buns. When the ajus comes to a boil, take it off the heat and drop in some nice sliced deli roast beef (like from the actual deli, fresh sliced not a package) into it. Use tongs to immediately transfer the meat to the buns, drop on a couple slices of provolone put them back in the oven with the broiler turned off just to melt the cheese. That’s it! Dip and eat 🙂
That sounds awesome! I’ll check for ajus!
Thanks!
Yum! I definitely need to try and make these soon!
Dumb question, but do you buy the thighs already boneless/skinless?
Yep! They usually still have some excess fat, which you can totally leave on there, but I like to take a pair of chicken shears and just trim them up.
Oh this is happening, like tonight! Love “nostalgic favorites” like this…one of my Mom’s was “Weight Watcher’s Chicken” circa the 80’s (I don’t know that the WW of today would appreciate this endorsement..haha)…it was basically chicken pieces sprinkled with garlic powder and paprika, cooked in an electric skillet with chicken bouillon cubes and water until the water evaporated. #classy I loved walking in the house and getting a whiff of that garlicky chicken goodness. It’s the sole reason that even now, I allow a bulky electric skillet to take up valuable real estate in my cupboards, that recipe still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks for sharing!
Awe…I love memories like this! My Mom totally used an electric skillet almost every night to cook meat!
Those look yummy. I really need to try them. I agree with you that chicken thighs are under used, and much better in a lot of recipes. It made me smile that you have seven rice Krispie treats recipe on the blog. That’s awesome 🙂
Right?? We had to create an entire section for our rice krispie treats haha!
I grew up with in the same town as your grandparents and we’re actually related on the Bunker side. I probably even babysat for you a time or two when you were in La Crescenta visiting! This recipe was always one that we had at my house and my mom and your grandma were such good friends I’m certain that it came from her. I learned so much from helping your grandma at her parties. You are just like her!
Oh my goodness, I totally remember you Doyles! Norma was amazing, right?? She’s totally my entertaining inspiration. Thanks for leaving a comment, I love hearing from people I have a connection to 🙂
I’ve so enjoyed your recipes because so many of them are Norma inspired and they bring back such happy memories for me. So many wedding reception and party how tos and fun things I learned from her and now you! I know she’s proud of you!
Thank you!