Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken

You can marinate the chicken in the buttermilk mixture up to 24 hours so the seasoning penetrates the meat more deeply, though even a two-hour soak will help if you’re time-pressed. Two teaspoons of hot sauce in the marinade gives the chicken zesty flavor without seeming spicy.

Depending on your heat preference, you can double or triple the amount of hot sauce. For best results, shop for air-chilled (not water-chilled) chicken so it’s easier for the brine to penetrate. Grate the cheese with a Microplane or other very fine grater so it spreads evenly into the coating.