Best 2 Best Air Fried Chicken Recipes

Savor the irresistible flavors of air-fried chicken, a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. Indulge in a crispy golden-brown crust that yields to tender, juicy meat. Discover a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite comfort food.

Embark on a culinary journey with our diverse collection of air fryer chicken recipes. From classic Southern-fried chicken to globally-inspired dishes, we have something to satisfy every palate. Treat yourself to a taste of Americana with our buttermilk fried chicken, or venture into international territory with our succulent Korean fried chicken or aromatic Indian-spiced chicken.

For those seeking a healthier option, our baked chicken parmesan offers a delectable twist on the classic Italian dish. And for a quick and easy meal, our air fryer chicken nuggets are a perfect choice for busy weeknights.

Join us as we explore the world of air-fried chicken, unlocking a treasure trove of culinary delights.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

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

Ingredients

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 SOUTHERN-STYLE CHICKEN

Air-Fryer Southern-Style Chicken image

I call this America's best-loved air fryer chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. -Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50)
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 large egg, beaten
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
Cooking spray

Steps:

Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients. Place egg in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg, then in cracker mixture, patting to help coating adhere. In batches, place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket, spritz with cooking spray., Cook 10 minutes. Turn chicken and spritz with cooking spray; cook until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, 10-20 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410 calories, Fat 23g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 135mg cholesterol, Sodium 460mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 36g protein.

Tips:

Use a good quality air fryer. This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and crispy.
Preheat your air fryer before cooking. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Season the chicken generously with your favorite spices. This will help to give the chicken flavor.
Cook the chicken until it is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help to keep the chicken juicy.

Conclusion:

Air-fried chicken is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy your favorite fried food. It is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and it is much lower in fat and calories than traditional fried chicken. With a little practice, you can make perfect air-fried chicken at home. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!