WHAT’S FOR DINNER?
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Array/5
COOK TIME
25 min
TOTAL TIME
40 min
SERVINGS
4- 6 pieces
Fried Chicken is probably one of my top three favorite foods. Add some mashed potatoes and corn and I am in heaven. My Grandma made amazing fried chicken and I loved it, but it was definitely fried in a big old pot of oil which is what made it incredible. So what if I told you, you could have a crispy and amazing tasting fried chicken on any old weeknight and not break out a pot of oil. The answer is Air Fryer Fried Chicken and I absolutely love it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This chicken recipe is perfect for you if you love fried chicken but don’t want the mess of frying in oil and might want to reduce the oil needed.
Less oil: Just a few brushes of oil on the bottom of the air fryer and on the chicken gets this chicken crispy and delicious.
Fast– The marinade takes about 10-15 minutes (or you can make it ahead) and the chicken cooks in 25 minutes. Such an easy recipe for a weeknight dinner.
Versatile– You can get skin on, skin off. Whatever your preference is, either way is delicious!
Easy clean up– No big pot of hot oil needed, just a couple bowls and your air fryer. Easy!
What Ingredients Do I Need?
Super simple ingredients for this quick and easy air fryer chicken recipe!
Chicken– I love to use bone in thighs with skin on, but you can definitely use a skin off chicken as well.
Buttermilk– The buttermilk helps for the breading to adhere to the chicken and gives it a little bit more savory flavor.
Hot sauce– Gives the chicken coating a little flavor but not a big kick. The perfect mix for flavor.
Flour, Paprika, Salt/Pepper– The perfect combination of flavors for the coating to the fried chicken. Simple but delicious!
Vegetable Oil– Just a few brushes of vegetable oil on the bottom of the air fryer as well as the chicken helps get that crispy texture without needing a lot.
How Do I Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken?
The steps to make this Chicken Dinner are really easy and straightforward!
Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken and make sure it’s submerged under the buttermilk. Let marinate for about 10 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a ziploc or medium bowl, add the flour, paprika, salt and pepper and mix all together.
Take one piece of chicken at a time from the buttermilk mixture and place in the flour mixture and shake or turn the chicken to get it coated. Shake off the excess flour and place on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken.
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Once heated, brush vegetable oil on the bottom of the air fryer as well as a light layer on the top of the chicken pieces.
Place the chicken in the air fryer. It’s okay if the chicken is touching but don’t overlap the chicken pieces.
Set timer for 25 minutes and flip chicken halfway through cooking.
Once cooked (chicken should reach an internal temp of 165 degrees) remove chicken and get ready to serve!
Expert Tips
Marinate the chicken ahead of time- mix the marinade in the morning or night before and place the chicken in it. Cover and place in the fridge, then you are ready to bread it and cook at dinnertime already.
Use a brush or mister for the oil- I use a brush to dip in the oil and spread on the air fryer and chicken and al oil mister would work great as well.
Don’t use an aerosol non stick spray- these sprays aren’t recommended in an air fryer and they won’t result in the crispy and delicious chicken that we all love
Halfway through cooking- check for dry spots on the chicken that may need another brush of oil. This helps get a consistent crispy skin all over.
Storage and Reheating
Storage
Store the Chicken in an air tight container and place in the fridge for up to 4-5 days after cooking.
Reheating
Use the air fryer again to reheat the chicken- 375 degrees for about 5 minutes, flip halfway through. Microwave is not recommended because the skin tends to get soft and soggy.
Other Delicious Recipes Chicken Recipes
Print
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
An easy, delicious and healthier version of fried chicken made in the air fryer. Crispy skin and juicy meat for a great dinner idea!
Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken pieces (skin-on or skinless), thighs or drumsticks are my favorite
salt and fresh ground black pepper, big pinches
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons hot sauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons Paprika
vegetable or canola oil for brushing
Instructions
-
Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken and make sure it’s submerged under the buttermilk. Let marinate for about 10 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
-
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a ziploc or medium bowl, add the flour, paprika, salt and pepper and mix all together.
-
Take one piece of chicken at a time from the buttermilk mixture and place in the flour mixture and shake or turn the chicken to get it coated. Shake off the excess flour and place on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with all the chicken.
-
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Once heated, brush vegetable oil on the bottom of the air fryer as well as a light layer on the top of the chicken pieces.
-
Place the chicken in the air fryer. It’s okay if the chicken is touching but don’t overlap the chicken pieces.
-
Set timer for 25 minutes and flip chicken halfway through cooking.
-
Once cooked (chicken should reach an internal temp of 165 degrees) remove chicken and get ready to serve!
Notes
- Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up.
- Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up.
- Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up. Sign me up.
NEED IDEAS FOR FOODS YOUR KIDS
WILL *ACTUALLY* EAT?
Our best tips for quick and tasty recipes, ideas and more, right to your inbox.
