Kickin' Chicken. I dare you to add extra cayenne.

It may not look like much, but this chicken is the BEST baked chicken in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And yes, it deserves all those capslocked letters.

Because it's baked. Which is a secret word for "healthy". Shhhhhh. Don't tell your husbands. Or your kids. Or anyone else with a particular detestation of all things remotely good for you.

This recipe has been our "go to" recipe for a few weeks now, as chicken legs are cheap and don't take long to cook. Definitely a plus when it's hot and sticky outside and you're spending all your money on air conditioning! Just the fact that I am evening turning my oven on for this recipe is a clear sign it's a winner.

This chicken definitely has a "kick" to it, but you can easily use less kick if you want to. Just decrease the amount of cayenne, or eliminate it entirely if you have no backbone and are a total wuss. I won't tell.

Crunchy Baked Chicken "With a Kick"

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: approx. 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 lbs. chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne powder (refuse if you're a wuss)
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. cajun seasoning
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs 

Preheat your oven to 375º.

You will need 3 shallow bowls to create your "dipping station". In your first bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt and flour. In the second bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together. And in the third bowl, mix the panko and Cajun seasoning.

Grab a chicken leg and dredge it in the flour mixture, then dip in egg mixture, then coat it with the Cajun panko. Put chicken leg into an oven-safe dish. Repeat with all chicken drumsticks, making sure there is adequate space between each one in your baking dish (I use a large roasting pan so there's ample room).

Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each drumstick over to ensure they receive equal crisping on both sides! Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature is 160º.

These are best served with my secret sauce (ranch dressing + lemon juice + Cajun seasoning). It's embarrassingly easy, but surprisingly delicious. Try it!