Best 4 Air Fryer Spicy Fried Chicken Recipes

In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes can rival the allure of tantalizing spicy fried chicken. With its crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender, juicy interior, this dish has captivated taste buds for generations. While traditional methods of frying chicken might seem daunting, the advent of air fryers has revolutionized the way we prepare this delectable treat. With its ability to deliver crispy textures and succulent flavors without the guilt of excess oil, air fryers have opened up new culinary horizons for home cooks everywhere. Embark on a gastronomic journey as we explore the art of creating irresistibly spicy fried chicken in the convenience of your own kitchen, using the magic of an air fryer.

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

SPICY AIR-FRYER CHICKEN BREASTS

Spicy Air-Fryer Chicken Breasts image

My family adores this chicken recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist, and with the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. -Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
8 bone-in chicken breast halves, skin removed (8 ounces each)
2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Steps:

Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or overnight., Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Combine remaining ingredients in a shallow dish and stir to combine. Add chicken, 1 piece at a time, and turn to coat. Place in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 170°, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Return all chicken to air fryer and cook to heat through, 2-3 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 352 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 562mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 41g protein.

AIR FRYER BANG-BANG CHICKEN

Air Fryer Bang-Bang Chicken image

Sweet, spicy, air-fried chicken that's tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. My version gets a double dose of bang-bang sauce which is sure to please the taste buds. Serve in leafy lettuce wraps if desired.

Provided by Soup Loving Nicole

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Fried Chicken Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
⅓ cup flour
1 pound chicken breast tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces
1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
2 green onions, chopped

Steps:

Whisk mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha together in a large bowl. Spoon out 3/4 cup of the mixture and set aside.
Place flour in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, close bag, and shake to coat. Transfer coated chicken pieces to the large bowl with the mayonnaise mixture and stir to combine.
Place panko bread crumbs in another large plastic resealable bag. Working in batches, drop chicken pieces into bread crumbs, close, and shake to coat.
Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place as many chicken pieces into the air fryer basket as you can without overcrowding. Cook in the hot air fryer for 10 minutes. Flip and cook 5 additional minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Transfer fried chicken to a large bowl and pour reserved sauce over the top. Sprinkle with green onions and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Carbohydrate 34.9 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fat 32.6 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 817.7 mg, Sugar 7.1 g

AIR-FRYER NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Air-Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken image

I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I'd try air-frying. I'm so glad I did-this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. -April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dill pickle juice, divided
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
2 pounds chicken tenderloins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
Cooking spray
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dill pickle slices

Steps:

In a bowl or shallow dish, combine 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Drain, discarding any marinade., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and the remaining 1 tablespoon pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour mixture., In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer on well-greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes longer., Whisk together oil, cayenne pepper, brown sugar and seasonings; pour over hot chicken and toss to coat. Serve with pickles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 calories, Fat 21g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 170mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 39g protein.

AIR-FRYER SPICY CHICKEN WINGS

Air-Fryer Spicy Chicken Wings image

Chicken wings turn out perfectly when they're cooked in an air fryer. Here, they are tossed with a bit of baking powder before frying, which yields a particularly crunchy, browned skin with a rough, craggy texture. It's a technique based on one from Ben Mims's cookbook, "Air Fry Every Day" (Clarkson Potter, 2018), which he learned from J. Kenji López-Alt from Serious Eats. After frying, the wings are tossed with a honey and chile-based sauce spiked with fresh lemon juice and zest. Sticky, fiery and impossible to stop eating, they are an easier, leaner version of deep-fried chicken wings, made without the mess.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories finger foods, poultry, appetizer, main course

Time 25m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 1/4 pound chicken wings, cut in half through the joint into wingettes and drumettes
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey, preferably dark
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon Sriracha or other Asian chile sauce

Steps:

In a large bowl, toss chicken with baking powder, salt and pepper until the pieces are thoroughly coated. Spread the pieces out on a rack placed on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. (The longer, the better.)
Heat the air fryer to 400 degrees, if preheating is necessary.
Arrange chicken on air fryer rack so all of the pieces are standing up against the edges of the basket, with as much space around each one as possible. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together butter, lemon zest and juice, honey, Tabasco and sriracha.
Immediately transfer the fried chicken wings to the bowl with the honey-chile sauce and toss well. Serve at once.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 298, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 343 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

Use a good quality air fryer for the best results. A good air fryer will have a powerful fan and a large cooking basket, which will help to ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly and crispy.
Make sure to pat the chicken dry before coating it in the breading. This will help the breading to adhere to the chicken and will also help to prevent the chicken from splattering in the air fryer.
Use a light coating of oil on the chicken. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket and will also help to make the chicken crispy.
Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the chicken. This will help to ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly.
Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time. This will help to ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, making it more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Air fryer spicy fried chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With a little planning and preparation, you can have a delicious and crispy fried chicken dinner on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give air fryer spicy fried chicken a try. You won't be disappointed!