Description
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken recipe delivers crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces cooked to perfection using an air fryer. Marinated in buttermilk and seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, this healthier take on classic fried chicken offers the crispy texture you love without the excess oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 4-pound fryer chicken, cut into 10 pieces
- 1 tsp kosher salt (for seasoning chicken)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper (for seasoning chicken)
- 2 cups buttermilk
Flour Coating
- 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
For Cooking
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper evenly over the chicken pieces to season.
- Marinate: Place the seasoned chicken into a large bowl and pour 2 cups of buttermilk over the pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a shallow dish, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon paprika. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring a good coating. Shake off any excess flour.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange and spray chicken: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Spray the top of the chicken lightly with olive oil to promote crispness.
- Air fry: Cook the chicken at 350°F for 14 minutes. Then flip each piece over, spray with olive oil again, and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Notes
- For best results, ensure the chicken pieces are dry before applying the flour coating to encourage the crust to stick better.
- The buttermilk marinade can be left overnight for extra tender and flavorful chicken.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness and avoid undercooked chicken.
- You can swap paprika for smoked paprika for a smoky flavor variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
