Want super crispy fried chicken without all that oil? Your air fryer's got you covered. I've been making this for years, and trust me – it's all about getting the temperature just right.
Start with your chicken pieces – give them a good pat dry with paper towels. For the coating, mix up some panko breadcrumbs with your favorite seasonings. I always throw in some paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper – just like my mother taught me.
The trick is in the timing: drumsticks need about 20-25 minutes, while those chunky breast pieces take closer to 30 minutes. Set your air fryer to 375°F – that's the sweet spot. You'll know they're done when they hit 165°F inside and have that beautiful golden-brown crust.
Spray the pieces with a little oil before they go in – this helps get that old-fashioned crunch we're after. Give them a flip halfway through cooking. If your first batch isn't quite as crispy as you'd like, don't fret – just add a few more minutes. Every air fryer's a bit different, so you'll get to know yours after a couple tries.
Remember: don't crowd the basket. These pieces need room to get that nice, crispy coating all around. It might take a couple batches, but it's worth the wait.
Recipe
Air fryer fried chicken delivers the same crispy, golden-brown exterior and juicy interior as traditional deep-fried chicken, but with notably less oil. This healthier alternative has become increasingly popular among home cooks looking to recreate their favorite comfort food while maintaining a more health-conscious approach to cooking.
Just like air fryer brats provide a convenient cooking method, air fryer fried chicken also offers a quick and hassle-free way to enjoy a beloved dish without the mess of deep frying.
The key to achieving perfectly crispy air fryer fried chicken lies in the preparation and coating process. A well-seasoned buttermilk marinade tenderizes the meat, while a properly seasoned flour coating creates that signature crispy crust we all love. The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation ensures even cooking and browning without the need for deep frying.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds chicken pieces (mixture of thighs, drumsticks, wings)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or mixed)
- Cooking spray
Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, combine flour and seasonings in a shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge in seasoned flour mixture.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray chicken pieces with cooking spray and arrange in air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
For best results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket as this prevents proper air circulation and can lead to uneven cooking. Let the chicken pieces rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking, and always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
The cooking time may vary depending on the size of chicken pieces and your specific air fryer model, so adjust accordingly. Remember to spray the chicken with cooking spray before air frying to achieve that golden-brown color and crispy texture.
Crispy fried chicken has been a comfort food staple since the early 1800s, but traditional deep-frying comes with messy cleanup and excess oil. This air fryer version delivers the same satisfying crunch and juicy meat while using significantly less oil.
The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation creates a golden-brown crust that seals in moisture, resulting in chicken that's properly cooked through without being greasy. Originally developed as a commercial cooking innovation in 2010, air fryer technology has revolutionized home cooking, making it possible to achieve deep-fried results with a tablespoon of oil rather than several cups.
This recipe preserves the essential elements of classic Southern fried chicken while adapting the technique for modern, health-conscious kitchens.
Conclusion
Get ready for some real good chicken that's crispy on the outside and juicy inside – without all that deep-frying mess! This air fryer version is just plain smart cooking. Set your air fryer to 375°F and you'll get that perfect crunch, while making sure the meat hits 165°F so it's safe and done just right. The coating turns into this wonderful crispy shell that keeps all the good juices where they belong – inside the chicken. And you know what's nice? It uses way less oil than regular frying, about a quarter of what you'd normally need. I've made this hundreds of times and it comes out right every single time. It's just like the chicken from those fancy places, except you made it yourself right in your kitchen. No fuss, no muss, just good eating.