Best 5 Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken Recipes

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Southern fried chicken is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. Its crispy, flavorful coating and juicy, tender meat make it a favorite for many. With the advent of air fryers, it is now possible to enjoy this Southern comfort food without all the added fat and calories. Air fryer fried chicken is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, as it uses less oil and cooks the chicken more evenly resulting in a crispy, golden crust and juicy, flavorful meat. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to making the best air fryer southern fried chicken, including tips for selecting the right ingredients, preparing the chicken, and cooking it to perfection.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AIR-FRYER SOUTHERN-STYLE CHICKEN



Air-Fryer Southern-Style Chicken image

I call this America's best-loved air fryer chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. -Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50)
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 large egg, beaten
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
Cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients. Place egg in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg, then in cracker mixture, patting to help coating adhere. In batches, place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket, spritz with cooking spray., Cook 10 minutes. Turn chicken and spritz with cooking spray; cook until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 10-20 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410 calories, Fat 23g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 135mg cholesterol, Sodium 460mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 36g protein.

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 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

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN



Southern Fried Chicken image

This recipe is originally from Alabama, and has been passed down for generations.

Provided by Cindy Garrick

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Fried Chicken Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

  • Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Roll in flour.
  • Add 1/2 to 3/4 inch oil to a large, heavy skillet. Heat to approximately 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Place chicken pieces in hot oil. Cover, and fry until golden, turning once, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 491.3 calories, Carbohydrate 16.1 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Fat 32 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 32.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 93.7 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

AIR-FRIED CHICKEN



Air-fried chicken image

Use an air fryer to make these easy chicken thighs, and add the seasoning or sauce of your choice. It's an easy way to cook chicken when you're busy

Provided by Anna Glover

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 large or 8 small chicken thighs, skin on
1 tbsp sunflower or olive oil
1 tbsp plain flour
seasoning of choice (use salt and pepper, or ½-1 tsp of either smoky BBQ, ras-el-hanout, garlic granules, celery salt or garam masala)

Steps:

  • Toss the chicken thighs in the oil, making sure they are all well-coated.
  • Mix the flour with the seasoning, then toss with the chicken thighs - it will be a very light coating, but you can double the flour and seasoning if you prefer a thicker coating.
  • Arrange the chicken in one layer on the tray of an air fryer without a paddle, and program to cook for 35 mins. Check the thighs are cooked by pulling the flesh on the underside of one away from the bone - it should come away easily and there should be no pink remaining. Cook for another 5-10 mins if needed. The skin should have bubbled and crisped up, and any excess fat from the chicken will have dripped into the base of the fryer (you can discard this). Don't leave the chicken in the fryer, or the steam will make the skin soft again.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 16 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 4 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 0.6 grams fiber, Protein 22 grams protein, Sodium 0.24 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a good quality air fryer. Not all air fryers are created equal. Do your research and choose a model that is well-reviewed and has the features you want.
  • Preheat your air fryer before cooking. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the chicken pieces so that they can cook evenly.
  • Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. If you have a lot of chicken to cook, cook it in batches so that you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
  • Season the chicken well. You can use your favorite seasonings, or try the recipe's recommended seasoning blend.
  • Cook the chicken until it is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces.
  • Serve the chicken hot with your favorite sides. Southern fried chicken is often served with mashed potatoes, green beans, and coleslaw.

Conclusion:

Air fryer southern fried chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, as it is cooked with less oil. With a little planning and preparation, you can make air fryer southern fried chicken that is just as good as the real thing. So next time you're craving fried chicken, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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