Make the crispy, golden goodness of Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken Copycat Recipe in your home kitchen with this simple recipe. It is seasoned perfectly and fried to crispy goodness and everyone loves it- even the kiddos!
If you’ve ever wanted the perfect crispy golden fried chicken just like Bob Evans’ recipe, now you can make it right at home!
This copycat recipe comes out crunchier with the skin of the chicken perfectly seasoned.
Whether you’re frying it on the stovetop or in the air fryer for a lighter version, this fried chicken is a family-pleasing, crowd-pleasing dish that offers just-right comfort food whatever time of week it happens to be.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Golden & Crunchy: Get perfect crispiness Every time.
- Juicy & Tender: Chicken is juicy inside and tasty outside.
- Family-Friendly: Popular among both children and adults.
- Simple & Straightforward: No special ingredients or difficult steps to take.
- Versatile Cooking: Stovetop frying and air fryer safe
Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken pieces: You can use your favorite chicken parts, drumsticks, thighs, boned-in chicken and boneless chicken thighs or breasts; legs and wings are also okay.
- All-purpose flour: This is the base for the crispy crust of the chicken.
- Paprika: Oh so, wonderful smoke flavor and color to the breading.
- Garlic powder: Needed to give the breading a savory taste.
- Onion powder: They add a little bite of oniony goodness to the crust.
- Kosher salt: Boosts the taste of the chicken overall.
- Black pepper: To bring some heat and work with the other seasonings.
- Cooking spray or oil for misting: For a golden, crispy coating when air frying.
How To Make Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken
Step One: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Step Two: In a shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step Three: Roll each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coating and removing excess flour. (Note: This recipe does not have an egg wash or egg mixture, so pay careful attention to how you coat the chicken.)
Step Four: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for a few minutes.
Step Five: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation.
Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken Copycat Recipe Tips
- Make sure the chicken is patted dry before dredging– moister parts will make it more challenging to get breading to stick as well as stay crispy.
- Don’t over crowd pan or air fryer – cook in batches for even cooking and browning.
- Use a meat thermometer – chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Allow the breading to cool its heels — after coating, give that chicken 5–10 minutes of peace to set up the crust.
- Additional seasoning variations – paprika, garlic powder or cayenne for more zing.
- Air fryer method – simply spritz with oil so it can get golden and crispy.
- Enjoy right away – fried chicken is meant to be eaten hot and fresh!
Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions
- Storing: To keep your already made fried chicken fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken in a resealable freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months; label with the date for reference.
- Reheating: To reheat, air-fry at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or bake in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes to ensure they remain crispy and juicy.
Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken Copycat Recipe Faqs
Can I use chicken thigh in place of chicken breast? Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are great, and stay even juicier. I hope you enjoy this and your family does as well – if they like them softer cook a bit longer!
Do I need to fry the chicken in oil? No — you can turn to your air fryer for a lighter version. Add a light spray of oil over the chicken for crispy breading.
How much time should I fry the chicken? Cook until browned and the internal temperature registers 165°F, 10-12 minutes per side if evenly thick.
Is it possible to prepare this recipe in advance? Yes, you can bread the chicken and keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours before frying. Cook right before serving for the best texture.
What sides go with this fried chicken? Classic sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or green beans are perfect.
Can I incorporate additional seasonings to the breading? Absolutely! You may also add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder or cayenne to taste.
More Copycat Bob Evan’s Recipe
Bob Evans Sausage & Egg Breakfast Bowls Recipe
Copycat Bob Evans Colonial Dressing Recipe
Bob Evans Style Buttermilk Biscuits
Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Bob Evan’s Mushroom and Onion Chopped Steak Recipe
Bob Evans Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Bob Evan’s Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe
Bob Evan’s Country-Fried Steak Recipe
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Bob Evan’s Fried Chicken Copycat Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Chicken pieces, such as chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, bone-in chicken, boneless chicken thighs, boneless chicken breasts, chicken legs or wings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the 2 pounds Chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the a1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder,1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Roll each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coating and removing excess flour.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation.
- Lightly mist the chicken with cooking spray or apply a thin layer of oil with an oil mister. You need to coat all of the flour mixutre with oil, or brush the coating with olive oil.
- Air fry the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for a cook time of about 20-25 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. The chicken should be golden brown and crispy.
- To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Once the cook time is up and the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and place chicken on a plate to let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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