Southern-Style Oven-Fried Chicken

Combine buttermilk and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add chicken; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.

When ready to cook, preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine panko, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, and ground pepper in a shallow dish. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off, and dredge it in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Gently shake off excess breading; transfer the chicken to a plate and sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt.

Heat 1 1/2 Tbsp. oil in a large cast-iron or oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan, tilting as needed so each piece comes in contact with the oil; cook until browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken, browned-side down, to a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Add the remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp. oil to the pan; cook until heated, about 1 minute.

Return the chicken, browned-side up, to the pan, tilting as needed so each piece comes in contact with the oil. Transfer the pan to the oven (or use a baking dish). Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165 degrees F, 14 to 16 minutes.