Best 5 Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipes

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Indulge in the crispy delight of air fryer fried chicken, a delectable dish that combines the flavors of classic fried chicken with the convenience and health benefits of air frying. This innovative cooking method utilizes hot air to deliver a golden-brown, succulent chicken that rivals the taste and texture of traditional deep-frying, minus the excess oil and grease. Whether you're a seasoned culinary enthusiast or a novice cook seeking a healthier alternative, this guide will lead you on a journey to discover the best air fryer fried chicken recipe that tantalizes your taste buds and leaves you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Fried Chicken image

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a revelation. You can achieve a crispy crust and juicy interior without all the steps of deep-frying. A soak in seasoned buttermilk adds extra flavor-as little as 1 hour will make a difference, but overnight is even better. Because of the capacity of a standard air fryer, we cook the chicken in batches. You can rewarm the first batch in a 250-degree oven for 10 minutes if you'd like to serve it all hot at once.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups buttermilk
6 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
6 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Olive oil cooking spray

Steps:

  • Combine the buttermilk, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large resealable plastic bag or container. Add the chicken pieces, seal and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight, turning the bag once or twice.
  • When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl or dish. Stir well with a fork to combine. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture from the bag over the flour and toss well to create small lumps throughout.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade. Spray the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer with olive oil cooking spray and preheat to 360 degrees F.
  • Dredge 3 thighs and 3 drumsticks in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Place the pieces in the preheated air-fryer basket, skin-side up without touching. Spray the chicken generously with the cooking spray and air fry until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is crisp and deep golden, about 27 minutes. Check on the chicken halfway through to spray any spots that still look floury with more cooking spray and flip the drumsticks only.
  • When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and season lightly with salt. Repeat the dredging and air-frying process with the remaining chicken. if you like, rewarm the first batch in an oven at 250 degrees F for 10 minutes before serving.

AIR FRYER BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken image

Fried chicken without the fry thanks to the air fryer!

Provided by Soup Loving Nicole

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Thigh Recipes

Time 4h35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
½ tablespoon ground black pepper
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 serving cooking spray

Steps:

  • Place chicken thighs in a shallow casserole dish. Pour buttermilk over chicken and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight.
  • Preheat an air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Mix flour, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large gallon-sized resealable bag. Dredge chicken thighs in seasoned flour. Dip back into the buttermilk, then coat with panko bread crumbs.
  • Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange 1/2 of the chicken thighs in the basket, making sure none are touching. Spray the top of each chicken thigh with cooking spray.
  • Cook in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes. Flip. Spray tops of chicken again. Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Repeat with remaining chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.2 g, Cholesterol 67.1 mg, Fat 12.8 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 687.2 mg, Sugar 4 g

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Fried Chicken image

Plan ahead for this crispy air fried chicken. The seasonings are a starting point; add less salt if desired.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Fried Chicken Recipes

Time 8h35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ pounds bone-in chicken pieces, with skin
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons garlic salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 ⅔ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried basil
⅓ teaspoon dried oregano
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Combine buttermilk, hot sauce, and salt in a large gallon-sized resealable bag. Add chicken and knead well to ensure chicken is coated with marinade. Marinate chicken in the fridge, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Combine flour, sweet and smoked paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, salt, pepper, cumin, thyme, basil, and oregano in a second gallon-sized resealable bag. Shake to combine. Drain chicken from the buttermilk and add to the dry mix. Shake to coat.
  • Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Spray chicken with cooking spray. Air fry for 20 minutes, turning at the halfway mark.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 60.7 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 23.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 1820.2 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

AIR FRYER SOUTHERN-FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Southern-Fried Chicken image

Nothing beats crispy, savory southern-fried chicken-especially when it has less fat than the deep-fried version. Try this Air Fryer Southern-Fried Chicken recipe for a fresh take on tradition.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 2h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup buttermilk
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lb total)
3/4 cup Gold Medal™ All-Purpose Flour
Cooking spray

Steps:

  • In small bowl, mix Seasoning Mix ingredients.
  • In shallow bowl, mix buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix. Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise, and add to buttermilk mixture. Turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, cut 8-inch round of cooking parchment paper. Place in bottom of air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray.
  • In shallow bowl, mix flour with remaining 1 tablespoon seasoning mix. Remove 4 pieces chicken from marinade, keeping remaining chicken refrigerated, and dredge the 4 pieces in flour mixture.
  • Place coated chicken on parchment in air fryer basket. Spray top of chicken with cooking spray.
  • Set to 325°F; cook 10 minutes. Turn chicken; spray tops with more cooking spray, and cook 8 to 12 minutes longer or until chicken is cooked through (at least 165°F). Keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken, and discard any remaining marinade and flour mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 14 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 41 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 2 Pieces, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 2 g, TransFat 0 g

AIR FRYER GLUTEN-FREE FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Gluten-Free Fried Chicken image

This is a simple air fryer recipe in the Midwestern style of using cracker crumb breading, but without gluten for those who do not include gluten in their diet.

Provided by WallerWife

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     Cookware and Equipment Recipes     Air Fryer     Air Fryer Main Dish Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

6 large eggs
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 ¼ cups gluten-free flour
1 ¼ cups crushed gluten-free crackers
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in 1-inch pieces
¼ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Place flour in a second bowl and cracker crumbs in a third bowl.
  • Dredge chicken pieces first in flour, then in eggs, and finally in cracker crumbs. Place on an air fryer rack, making sure pieces don't touch. Brush tops of chicken with oil.
  • Air fry chicken at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) until cooked through and crisp, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 545.6 calories, Carbohydrate 49.5 g, Cholesterol 209.9 mg, Fat 27.1 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 26.9 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 623.2 mg, Sugar 1 g

Tips:

  • For crispy and juicy fried chicken, use a combination of dark and white meat, such as chicken thighs and breasts.
  • Tenderize the chicken by brining it in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes.
  • Use a well-seasoned breading mix to coat the chicken. A good breading mix will include flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
  • Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with breading before air frying. This will help to ensure that it cooks evenly.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) before cooking the chicken. This will help to create a crispy crust.
  • Air fry the chicken for 10-12 minutes, or until it is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F (74°C).
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help to keep the juices in the chicken.

Conclusion:

Air fryer fried chicken is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. It is crispy, juicy, and flavorful, and it is much lower in fat and calories. With the tips provided in this article, you can easily make perfect air fryer fried chicken at home.

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