Crispy fried chicken is what everyone needs to enjoy a fuller meal. Let me tell you that replicating the exact same crunchy and crispy golden fried chicken can be prepared in the air fryer. It not only tastes amazing but is less fattening and low in calories.
Here is how I prepared fried chicken in the air fryer. So, don’t waste more time, and let’s get in.
Fried Chicken In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
- Bowls
- Air Fryer Basket Liner
Ingredients
- 1 4 Pounds Chicken & should be cut into 10 pieces (2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, and 2 legs.
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 cups Buttermilk
Grab the following ingredients for the marination.
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Seasoned Salt
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- Spray Olive Oil
Instructions
- Start off the recipe by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Take a bowl with buttermilk and add the seasoned chicken to it. Let it rest for at least an hour; preferably overnight.
- Now, prepare the bread mixture. For this, take a bowl and add flour, seasoned salt, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir them to combine everything.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and shake off any excess left with the chicken. Dip the chicken pieces in the dry mixture and coat each piece well. Transfer the coated chicken to a clean plate or a wire rack.
- Once done, it is time to air fry the chicken. You may need to work in batches, as overfilling the air fryer basket may leave you with undercooked chicken.
- Spray the air fryer and chicken with spray oil and transfer the chicken pieces into the fryer. Cook them for 14 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip the chicken pieces, lightly spray them with oil, and cook for another 12 minutes at 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In between air frying, if you see any dry flour flours, lightly spray it with oil for the perfect crispy texture.
- Finally, when the time is up, transfer the chicken to the plate and serve it with salad, mashed potatoes, or any other favorite side.
Notes
- Please note that all air fryers are not the same. Hence, it is important to understand the temperature range of your specific air fryer, so you are better equipped to adjust the heat, according to the type of meat.
- If you want to eliminate the mess that comes from the marination mixture, it is better to invest in a parchment paper or air fryer basket liner.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Chicken
Given that nothing is deep fried in this recipe, this air fryer chicken is fairly healthy to consume in a decent amount. Typically, if you are using the exact same ingredient measurements, this air fryer chicken per serving has 388 calories, 17g ft, 22g carbs, and 36g protein.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
The best part about this air fryer chicken is that you can store it in the refrigerator and it is safe to consume for up to 4 days. All you need to do is store them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. After this, just reheat it in an air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and flip it halfway through.
- Do not reheat the leftover refrigerated chicken in the microwave, as it has the tendency to turn your chicken soggy.
How Long Do I Cook Air Fryer Chicken?
The time your chicken will be in the air fryer depends on the thickness of the meat, whether the meat is skin or skin off, and cuts. Here is the estimated time for chicken thighs and breasts.
- Chicken Thighs usually take anywhere between 25 and 28 minutes to reach the temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to understand that cooking chicken thighs requires air frying at a higher temperature so that the meat fibers are broken down properly.
- Chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer for 20 to 25 minutes at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The meat fiber in this meat is not thick, hence the temperature and time both are less than those of thighs.
- For chicken tenders, you just have to air fry the meat for about 15 to 16 minutes, depending on the thickness.
Have You Tried It Already?
Finally, use this fried chicken in the air fryer recipe as your reference, and do not be afraid to customize it. Try different seasonings and meat options, and you will be amazed by the taste variations each time. Give it a shot; you will definitely like it.
