🍗 Air Fryer KFC-Style Chicken
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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4–6 pieces of chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or bone-in breasts)
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1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
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1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Seasoned Flour:
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp paprika
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
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1/2 tsp ground ginger
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1/2 tsp white pepper (key to that KFC flavor)
Optional for Extra Crunch:
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1/4 cup cornstarch (mixed into the flour)
For Spraying:
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Cooking spray or oil mister (high smoke point oil like avocado or canola)
🔪 Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
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In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken, buttermilk, and optional hot sauce.
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Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor.
2. Prepare the Coating:
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In another bowl, whisk together all flour and seasoning ingredients.
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Remove chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
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Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mix. For extra crunch, you can double dip: dunk back into buttermilk and dredge again.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer:
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Preheat air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
4. Cook the Chicken:
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Lightly spray both the air fryer basket and the coated chicken with oil to help it crisp up.
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Place chicken in the basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
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Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Spray lightly again after flipping for golden, even crispiness.
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Check for doneness: internal temp should be 165°F (74°C).
✅ Tips:
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Don’t overcrowd the basket — this helps it crisp, not steam.
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Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle.
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For boneless chicken, reduce cook time by about 5–10 minutes.
Would you like a copycat dipping sauce to go with it — like KFC’s gravy, honey BBQ, or coleslaw?