Crispy Air fryer Fried Chicken Delicious

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken, one of the most popular dishes to prepare using an air fryer. This recipe gives you that deep-fried crispy texture without the mess and excess oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken while still being incredibly flavorful and satisfying.

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe

There’s something special about crispy fried chicken. When made with the right combination of herbs and spices, the chicken turns out juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The air fryer is perfect for making this dish because it circulates hot air around the chicken, crisping up the coating beautifully while cooking it through evenly.

In this recipe, the chicken is marinated in buttermilk, coated in seasoned flour, and air-fried to golden perfection. The result is a juicy, crispy chicken that rivals traditional fried chicken in both flavor and texture.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 4 chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or breasts, bone-in, skin-on for the best results)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Coating:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps with crispiness)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional, for extra crispiness)

For Air Frying:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray (to lightly coat the chicken for crisping)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken

Marinating the chicken in buttermilk is essential for achieving that juicy, tender interior. The acidity in the buttermilk breaks down the protein in the chicken, making it softer and more flavorful.

1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the ingredients are fully mixed.
2. Add the chicken: Place your chicken pieces into the marinade. Ensure that the chicken is fully submerged in the mixture.
3. Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will become. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes will work, but overnight is best.

2. Prepare the Coating

While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the dry coating. The seasoned flour gives the chicken its crispy texture and flavor. You’ll need a large, shallow dish to coat the chicken pieces.

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large shallow bowl or plate, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and baking powder (optional). Whisk the ingredients together until they are well-combined.
2. Set up your breading station: You should have your marinated chicken on one side and the seasoned flour mixture on the other. You can also place a cooling rack next to the flour to transfer the coated chicken once it’s ready for the air fryer.

3. Coat the Chicken

To get that crispy, crunchy outer layer, it’s important to coat the chicken well.

1. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk: Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off.
2. Dredge the chicken: Roll the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure they are evenly coated. Press the flour into the chicken slightly for a thicker, crispier coating. Shake off any excess flour and set the coated chicken on the cooling rack.
3. Let the chicken rest: Allow the coated chicken to sit for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the coating adhere better and ensures that the crispy exterior stays intact during cooking.

4. Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you start air frying, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the air fryer is hot and ready to cook the chicken evenly.

5. Air Fry the Chicken

The key to crispy fried chicken in the air fryer is to make sure it’s evenly cooked and crisps up without too much oil. A light spray of cooking oil is enough to get the crispy finish.

1. Prepare the air fryer: Lightly coat the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking. You can also use a pastry brush to lightly brush the chicken with olive oil on all sides.

2. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer: Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. Make sure the chicken pieces are not overcrowded and that there is space around each piece to allow the air to circulate properly.

3. Air fry the chicken: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through cooking for even crisping. Cooking time may vary based on the size of your chicken pieces and the model of your air fryer. You may need to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

   If you want an extra crispy texture, you can spray a bit more oil on the chicken and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at the end.

6. Check for Doneness

Once the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), it should be perfectly cooked on the inside, with a crispy, golden brown exterior. The outside should be crunchy and the chicken juicy and tender inside.

If the chicken isn’t as crispy as you want, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 5 minutes to achieve extra crispiness.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Once your crispy air fryer fried chicken is done, let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, or a simple green salad. It’s also great with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Tips for Success:

• Dry the chicken: Before marinating, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This will help the buttermilk adhere better and result in a crispier coating.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer: For the best results, cook the chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding can prevent proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy chicken.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are ideal for air frying because they cook more evenly and the skin crisps up beautifully. If you prefer boneless chicken, you can still use the same recipe, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Rest the chicken: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps keep the juices inside, making the chicken moist and tender.
• Reheat leftovers: If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to keep the chicken crispy.

Conclusion:

This Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a healthier, easier version of the traditional deep-fried favorite. The air fryer creates a crispy, golden crust while keeping the chicken juicy and tender on the inside. Plus, it’s much less messy and doesn’t require excessive amounts of oil.

Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner, family gathering, or a special occasion, this air fryer fried chicken is sure to be a hit. It’s crispy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make, especially with the help of your air fryer! Enjoy every crispy bite!