1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cornmeal, plus extra for dusting cookie sheet
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Dash black pepper
Dash cayenne pepper (optional)
Cooking spray
Step 1
Place the chicken cubes in a medium-size bowl and cover them with the buttermilk. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour (or overnight).
Step 2
Thirty minutes before you take the chicken out of the refrigerator, dust two baking pans with cornmeal and set the oven to 350°F.
Step 3
Combine the flour, cornmeal, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if desired) in a large bowl.
Step 4
To coat the chicken, take a few chicken cubes at a time out of the buttermilk and wait a few seconds to let the excess drip off. Roll the chicken pieces in the cornmeal mixture until they are thoroughly coated. Place all of the chicken pieces on the prepared baking pans.
Step 5
Once the chicken is on the trays, spray the pieces evenly with the cooking spray. (Spray for a total of about three to four seconds.) Turn each piece of chicken over and spray again for three to four seconds.
Step 6
Bake the chicken for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once after 15-20 minutes.
