Best 6 Air Fryer Crispy Fried Chicken Recipes

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Crispy and succulent fried chicken is a beloved dish enjoyed worldwide. This recipe takes it up a notch by using an air fryer to achieve a healthier and crispier result without sacrificing any of the flavor. This step-by-step guide provides three variations to cater to different dietary preferences: a classic Southern-style fried chicken, a healthier baked version, and a gluten-free alternative. Each recipe is carefully crafted to deliver juicy and flavorful chicken that is sure to satisfy any craving. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this air fryer fried chicken recipe is a must-try for a delicious and versatile dish that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Fried Chicken image

Yes! Fried chicken in the air fryer is totally possible! It's crispy, juicy, and delicious. If you're craving a fried chicken with a little less fat, give this a try!

Provided by Nick Evans

Categories     Dinner     Air Fryer

Time 2h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

For the chicken:
1 4-pound fryer chicken, cut into 10 pieces (2 breasts cut in half, 2 wings, 2 legs, 2 thighs)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups buttermilk
For the coating:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
Spray olive oil for cooking

Steps:

  • Marinate the chicken: Season the chicken well with salt and pepper and then add it to a bowl with buttermilk. Chicken pieces should be covered with the buttermilk. Let it sit for at least an hour or up to overnight.
  • Serve: When the fried chicken is ready, let it rest on a plate for a few minutes before serving. Serve immediately with salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or your favorite fried chicken sides! Cooked fried chicken can be stored in the fridge for 5 days and reheated in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

CRISPY AIR-FRIED CHICKEN



Crispy Air-Fried Chicken image

This is super and makes a juicy and delicious chicken. The basting mixture is a win and adds an excellent flavor to the crispy skin. You can modify this for a whole bird, you will need to add more cooking time and you are going to want to truss your chicken to make sure the legs and wings are tucked in. (Google it, it's way easier than you think.)

Provided by FrackFamily5 CA->CT

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Fried Chicken Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
½ teaspoon ground sage
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 (8 ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
¼ cup coconut oil, at room temperature
2 tablespoons dry sherry
2 tablespoons lime juice

Steps:

  • Mix paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, marjoram, sage, pepper, and nutmeg together in a small bowl. Spread spice rub on all sides of chicken breasts and under the skin.
  • Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Mix coconut oil, sherry, and lime juice together in a small bowl; set aside.
  • Place chicken, breast-side down, in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes. Brush chicken with reserved basting oil. Flip chicken, reduce heat to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C), and cook for another 15 minutes. Baste chicken again with remaining oil and cook until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 6 to 12 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.1 calories, Carbohydrate 4 g, Cholesterol 127.5 mg, Fat 25.7 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 45.7 g, SaturatedFat 15.2 g, Sodium 735.4 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN



Air Fryer Fried Chicken image

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a revelation. You can achieve a crispy crust and juicy interior without all the steps of deep-frying. A soak in seasoned buttermilk adds extra flavor-as little as 1 hour will make a difference, but overnight is even better. Because of the capacity of a standard air fryer, we cook the chicken in batches. You can rewarm the first batch in a 250-degree oven for 10 minutes if you'd like to serve it all hot at once.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups buttermilk
6 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
6 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Olive oil cooking spray

Steps:

  • Combine the buttermilk, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large resealable plastic bag or container. Add the chicken pieces, seal and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight, turning the bag once or twice.
  • When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl or dish. Stir well with a fork to combine. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture from the bag over the flour and toss well to create small lumps throughout.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade. Spray the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer with olive oil cooking spray and preheat to 360 degrees F.
  • Dredge 3 thighs and 3 drumsticks in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Place the pieces in the preheated air-fryer basket, skin-side up without touching. Spray the chicken generously with the cooking spray and air fry until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is crisp and deep golden, about 27 minutes. Check on the chicken halfway through to spray any spots that still look floury with more cooking spray and flip the drumsticks only.
  • When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and season lightly with salt. Repeat the dredging and air-frying process with the remaining chicken. if you like, rewarm the first batch in an oven at 250 degrees F for 10 minutes before serving.

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN BREAST



Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast image

This air fryer fried chicken breast recipe without flour is ultra crispy thanks to whole wheat breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and little oil.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Main Course

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (or plain breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)

Steps:

  • Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise so that you have 6 long, narrow pieces total. Pound each piece to an even 1/2-inch thickness (I like to stretch a piece of plastic wrap over the top first to keep things tidy). Place the pounded chicken in a bowl.
  • Drizzle the chicken with the olive oil and toss to coat.
  • In a wide, shallow bowl (a pie dish works well), combine the whole wheat breadcrumbs, Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, cayenne pepper, and salt until evenly blended.
  • Coat each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, patting as necessary so that it adheres.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Coat the basket with nonstick spray, then arrange the chicken in the basket in a single layer (you will likely need to cook the chicken in two batches. If desired, keep the first batch warm in a 250 degree F oven while you finish the second).
  • Air fry the breaded chicken breast on the first side for 4 minutes. Slide out the basket, flip the chicken, then continue cooking for 2 to 5 additional minutes, depending upon the size of your chicken and your air fryer model. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the crumbs should look golden brown (I typically remove my chicken at 160 degrees F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests). Enjoy hot.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 of 4, Calories 234 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g

CRISPY AIR FRYER CHICKEN



Crispy Air Fryer Chicken image

The answer to doing fried chicken: a healthier air fryer version.

Provided by LeAnn Haas Gabriel

Categories     Fried Chicken

Time 1h55m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces
2 cups buttermilk
½ cup hot pepper sauce
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Trim chicken of excess fat and place in a large bowl. Combine buttermilk, hot sauce, and 2 teaspoons salt in a bowl and pour over chicken. Make sure all chicken pieces are coated, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
  • Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Combine flour, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, pepper, and cayenne in a shallow bowl or pie dish. Working with one piece at a time, remove chicken pieces from buttermilk and shake off excess. Place in flour mixture and turn to coat. Place coated chicken in the basket of the air fryer, working in batches as necessary to not overcrowd the basket.
  • Cook in the hot air fryer until chicken is golden, no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear, 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  • Repeat with remaining chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 570.2 calories, Carbohydrate 55.3 g, Cholesterol 102 mg, Fat 19 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 41.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 2402.9 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

CRISPY KETO FRIED CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER



Crispy Keto Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer image

This keto-friendly fried chicken is so tasty you may not even realize it's not the real deal. Cooking it in an air-fryer also speeds up the cooking time. This recipe is for boneless chicken. Bone-in chicken pieces will result in a longer cook time. I use a microplane to grate my Parmesan. Serve with your favorite sides.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork

Time 57m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

½ cup whole-milk plain kefir (such as Lifeway®)
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
2 (3.25 ounce) packages pork rinds, crushed
3 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
¾ teaspoon cantanzaro herbs (such as Savory Spice Shop®) or Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika

Steps:

  • Combine kefir and hot sauce in a shallow bowl. Add chicken tenders and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or longer if preferred.
  • Pour crushed pork rinds into a resealable shallow container. Mix in Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, cantanzaro herbs, and paprika.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C), about 3 minutes.
  • Drain chicken from kefir mixture and dredge through the pork rind mixture.
  • Air fry in the preheated fryer for a total of 17 minutes, turning chicken at the halfway point.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.3 g, Cholesterol 120.9 mg, Fat 20.7 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 47.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.6 g, Sodium 563.1 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

Tips:

  • Use a good quality air fryer: Not all air fryers are created equal. Make sure to choose one that is large enough to accommodate your chicken and that has adjustable temperature and time settings.
  • Pat the chicken dry: This will help the chicken to crisp up more easily.
  • Use a light coating of oil: You don't need to drown the chicken in oil, just a light coating will do. You can use cooking spray or brush the chicken with a little bit of oil.
  • Season the chicken well: Use your favorite seasonings to flavor the chicken. You can use a simple salt and pepper rub, or you can get more creative with your seasonings.
  • Preheat the air fryer: This will help the chicken to cook more evenly.
  • Cook the chicken in batches: If you're cooking a lot of chicken, you'll need to cook it in batches. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the chicken won't cook evenly.
  • Shake the chicken basket halfway through cooking: This will help the chicken to cook evenly.
  • Let the chicken rest before serving: This will help the chicken to retain its juices and stay moist.

Conclusion:

Air fryer crispy fried chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make meal. It's perfect for busy weeknights or for a special occasion. With a little bit of planning, you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in no time. So what are you waiting for? Give air fryer crispy fried chicken a try today!

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