Air Fryer Fried Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
4 hrs 10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
422 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Description
Air Fryer Fried Chicken uses bone-in chicken thighs soaked in buttermilk to tenderize and infuse flavor before coating them in a flour mixture seasoned with poultry seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. The chicken is soaked for several hours, then brought to room temperature before dredging in the spiced flour combined with a bit of buttermilk. Cooking in the air fryer at 400°F allows the breading to become crisp while keeping the meat moist with minimal oil. Flipping halfway promotes even browning and thorough cooking.
This chicken delivers a crunchy exterior and juicy interior without traditional frying. The spice blend provides complexity without overwhelming heat, adaptable by adjusting cayenne and chili powders. The recipe includes options for calorie reduction by removing the skin and using cooking spray instead of oil.
You can serve the chicken as a main dish with sides like coleslaw or vegetables. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. For best results, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The recipe relies on a meat thermometer to confirm doneness at 165°F to ensure safety and juiciness.
Tips include using parchment paper with holes to prevent sticking and shaking off excess flour to avoid sogginess. Seasoning can be adjusted by using homemade or store-bought poultry seasoning. Bringing the chicken to room temperature before cooking helps even cooking and crispiness.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
- 2 ½ cups buttermilk divided, 600g
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 360g
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil or calorie-contrilled cooking spray
- 5 tablespoons butter for skillet and oven version
Instructions
To Mske in Air Fryer:
- Start preparing the chicken thighs by rinsing the chicken and patting them dry. Then cover all the pieces with 2 cups of buttermilk. Soak in the refrigerator for 4 - 24 hours.
- 30 minutes prior to cooking, move chicken from fridge to the counter and allow to come up to room temperature.
- Prepare the breading by adding flour and all seasonings to a medium bowl. Pour in the remaining half cup of buttermilk. Mix with a fork until slightly lumpy.
- Take four pieces of chicken at a time and thoroughly coat both sides of each piece with the breading, then set aside on a plate.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
- Place breaded chicken in the Air Fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Lightly spray with oil.
- Cook for 10-16 minutes depending on the size of the chicken. Halfway through, flip the chicken and spray again with oil, if needed.
- Check for doneness usin g a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
To Make on Stovetop and Oven:
- Complete steps 1-4 from the Air Fryer section.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 177 degrees C.
- Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil and 5 tablespoons butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 4 pieces of chicken at a time to the oil, fry for 3 minutes each side, checking occasionally to make sure the chicken isn't getting too brown. Note - they will NOT be thoroughly cooked yet.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk at least 2 hours or overnight to tenderize and flavor the meat.
- Remove skin to reduce calories, noting that breading may stick less well without it.
- Don't let coated chicken sit before cooking to avoid sogginess; shake off excess flour before air frying.
- Use parchment paper with holes in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and maintain airflow.
- Cook in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Flip chicken halfway through cooking and spray lightly with oil for the best crust.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer; chicken thighs should reach 165°F internal temperature.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 422 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 422kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 135mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 541mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 456mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 830IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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