Air Fryer Fried Chicken: Crispy and Juicy Delight

Air fryer fried chicken is the ultimate crispy and juicy dish you need in your life! This easy recipe is perfect for busy families, offering a healthier twist on a classic favorite. Kids love it, and you’ll love how quickly it comes together!

The Best Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

Why This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a Game Changer

This air fryer fried chicken is a game changer because it combines the beloved crunch of traditional fried chicken with the health benefits of air frying. You get all the flavor and texture without the extra oil, making it family-friendly and easy on the waistline. Plus, it’s quick to prepare and perfect for meal prep!

Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

For the Buttermilk Marinade

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons Buffalo Hot Sauce (optional)

For the Flour Dredging Mixture

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Essential Equipment

• Air fryer
• Large bowl
• Ziploc bag
• Olive oil spray

How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken Step-by-Step

Marinating the Chicken

Start by combining the buttermilk, salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce in a large bowl. Add your chicken pieces and mix well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. This step is crucial for juicy, flavorful chicken!

Preparing the Flour Dredge

While your chicken marinates, prepare the flour dredging mixture. In a large Ziploc bag, combine the flour, cornstarch, and all the spices. Seal the bag and shake it to mix everything thoroughly.

Coating the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess liquid drip off. Place the chicken pieces into the flour bag to coat them evenly. Be sure to pat down the flour mixture with your hands for full coverage!

Air Frying to Perfection

Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the basket, ensuring they don’t touch. Spray the chicken with olive oil spray for that perfect golden finish. Set your air fryer to 390°F and cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, check the internal temperature of the thickest part. It should reach 165°F before you remove it from the air fryer. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to achieve this!

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Fried Chicken

The Importance of Buttermilk Marinade

The buttermilk marinade is essential for tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with flavor. The acidity breaks down proteins, making your chicken juicy and tender.

Achieving the Perfect Flour Coating

Make sure to shake off excess buttermilk before dredging the chicken. This prevents batter clumping and ensures a crispy coating. Plus, don’t overcrowd the basket; this keeps the coating intact!

Why Olive Oil Spray is Key

Using olive oil spray is crucial for achieving that crispy brown color. Without it, your chicken might turn out dry instead of the delicious golden hue you desire.

Preventing Soggy Chicken

To prevent soggy chicken, always ensure the pieces don’t touch in the air fryer. This allows hot air to circulate freely, leading to that coveted crunch.

The Role of Cornstarch

Cornstarch in your dredging mixture is a game changer! It helps create a crispy texture that you won’t get from flour alone. The result is a satisfyingly crunchy bite every time.

Variations and Substitutions

Making it Spicy

If you love heat, add more Buffalo hot sauce to the marinade or sprinkle extra cayenne pepper in your dredging mixture for that additional kick!

Alternative Cuts of Chicken

You can use chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of cut-up chicken. Each cut brings a different flavor and texture, so feel free to experiment! For more variations, try making Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.

Related Recipes to Try

• Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken And Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Frozen Food Cook Times
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Air Fryer Fish Tacos

FAQs

Conclusion

This air fryer fried chicken is not only delicious but also quick and easy to make. Enhance your cooking experience with tools and inspiration from Pinterest. Enjoy the crunch and savor the flavors today!

Air Fryer Fried Chicken: Crispy and Juicy Delight

Achieve perfectly crispy and juicy fried chicken using your air fryer with this straightforward recipe, minimizing oil for a healthier yet delicious meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• large bowl
• plastic wrap
• air fryer
• Large Ziploc bag
• meat thermometer

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• Cut up chicken, chicken thighs, or chicken drumsticks

Buttermilk Marinade

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons Buffalo Hot Sauce (optional)

Flour (Dredging) Mixture

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Olive oil spray for basket and chicken coating

Instructions

 

• Combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and mix well.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours to marinate the chicken.
• Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
• In a large Ziploc bag, combine flour, cornstarch, and all spices. Seal and shake to mix thoroughly.
• Remove chicken from the buttermilk mixture, shake off excess liquid, and place pieces into the flour bag to coat evenly.
• Transfer coated chicken to the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not touch or crowd each other.
• Spray the chicken pieces with olive oil spray for browning and crispiness.
• Set the air fryer to 390°F and cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray with olive oil again during cooking if needed.
• Verify the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature; it must reach 165°F.
• Plate the crispy air fryer fried chicken and serve immediately.

Notes

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. Drain excess buttermilk before dredging to prevent clumping and pat the flour mixture firmly onto the chicken for full coverage. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as touching pieces can cause the coating to fall off. Olive oil spray is crucial for achieving a golden-brown, non-dry finish.
• Cornstarch is recommended in the dredge for maximum crispiness. If the chicken isn’t browning sufficiently, apply additional olive oil spray during the cooking process.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken is cooked through (165°F). Drain excess buttermilk from chicken before dredging to prevent batter clumps. Pat down the flour mixture with hands to ensure full coverage on the chicken. Do not overcrowd the basket; touching pieces cause batter to fall off. Olive oil spray is essential for the coating to brown properly and prevent the chicken from becoming dry or white. Cornstarch is recommended in the dredge to achieve a crispy texture. If browning is insufficient, apply additional olive oil spray during cooking.

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