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The Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Two pieces of golden brown, crispy air fryer fried chicken resting on a white plate, showing the white meat inside one piece.
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Make satisfying, golden-brown fried chicken with a crispy coating using your air fryer. This recipe uses a buttermilk soak to keep the meat tender and juicy while achieving a crunch similar to deep-fried versions, but with much less oil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for brushing

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to tenderize the meat.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This is your seasoned coating.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not rinse.
  4. Dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to make it adhere well. For extra crispiness, dip the floured chicken back into the remaining buttermilk for a second coat, then back into the flour mixture, pressing firmly again.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush the chicken pieces with a small amount of oil.
  6. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  7. Air fry at 380°F (195°C) for 20 to 25 minutes for smaller pieces (like wings or tenders), or 28 to 35 minutes for larger pieces (like thighs or breasts).
  8. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with oil before flipping to help with browning.
  9. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
  10. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This is your guilt free comfort food chicken.

Notes

  • For the crispiest coating, ensure your coating mixture is well pressed onto the chicken pieces before cooking.
  • Preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F helps the coating set quickly.
  • If you are using chicken breasts, consider pounding them to an even thickness (about 3/4 inch) for uniform cooking.
  • This recipe works well for making Southern Fried Chicken Air Fryer style.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/air-fryer-fried-chicken/