Making Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a healthier and easier way to enjoy crispy, juicy fried chicken without the mess of deep frying. The air fryer gives you the crunch and golden color with much less oil! Here’s a delicious recipe for Air Fryer Fried Chicken:
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks, breasts, or a mix of your choice)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk (or regular milk)
- Cooking spray or oil (for spraying)
Directions:
- Prep the chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help the coating stick better and give you a crispier result.
- Make the flour coating:
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). This will be your seasoned flour mixture.
- Dredge the chicken:
- In a separate shallow dish, beat the egg and buttermilk together.
- Dip each piece of chicken first into the egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated, then dredge it in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks well. Shake off any excess flour.
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Cook the chicken:
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. (If you’re cooking multiple pieces, you may need to do this in batches.)
- Spray the tops of the chicken pieces lightly with oil.
- Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the coating is crispy and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a green salad.
Tips:
- Flour coating: For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken by repeating the egg and flour steps.
- Flavor variations: Add a bit of paprika, garlic powder, or herbs like oregano or thyme to the flour mixture for different flavors. You can also experiment with adding a bit of grated Parmesan to the flour for a cheesy twist.
- Cooking time: Cooking time will vary based on the size of your chicken pieces and the air fryer model. Always check the internal temperature to ensure they’re fully cooked.
- No buttermilk?: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk or even a milk and vinegar mixture (1 tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon of milk, let sit for 5 minutes).
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavor—all with less oil! Enjoy a healthier version of this classic comfort food!