Oven Fried Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 large egg whites
• 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs, visible excess fat trimmed

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Set a large wire rack on an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet, then coat the rack with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Add the Panko to a shallow mixing bowl. Pour the olive oil over it, then toss and rub the crumbs with your fingertips until they are evenly moistened.
3. Stir in the paprika, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, plus salt and pepper to taste, until the crumbs are well seasoned.
4. In another shallow mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites with salt and pepper until they look lightly foamy.
5. Coat the chicken 1 piece at a time. Dip both sides in the egg white, move it to the Panko mixture, and cover both sides with crumbs, pressing so the coating sticks. Scatter a little extra over the top and press that on too.
6. Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared rack, leaving space between the pieces. Bake until the coating is golden and the chicken is cooked through, with the thickest part reaching 165 on an instant read thermometer, about 50 minutes. Serve warm.