Best 6 Crispy Air Fried Chicken Recipes

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Crispy Air-Fried Chicken: A Healthier Indulgence

Crispy Air-Fried Chicken is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, offering a delightful balance of crispy texture and juicy, tender meat. This guilt-free indulgence is made possible by the innovative air fryer, which circulates hot air to achieve a golden-brown crust while minimizing oil consumption. Our collection of recipes caters to diverse tastes, from classic Southern-style chicken to globally-inspired flavors. Whether you prefer a simple, crispy coating or a flavorful marinade, our recipes provide step-by-step instructions for creating the perfect air-fried chicken. Get ready to enjoy mouthwatering chicken that is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and easy on your health.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CRISPY AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS



Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs image

Juicy, tender dark-meat chicken with the crispiest skin in less than twenty minutes-who could ask for anything more? Serve these lightly seasoned chicken thighs as is, or toss them while still hot with your favorite barbecue or buffalo sauce to give this quick and easy anytime meal an extra kick.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 teaspoon granulated garlic (or garlic powder)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Mix together the granulated garlic, onion powder, thyme, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Pat the chicken dry and add to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil and half of the spice mix, then toss to combine.
  • Add the flour to the remaining spice mix and stir to combine. Transfer the flour mixture to a large resealable bag. Add the seasoned thighs to the bag, seal well and toss until the chicken is fully coated in the flour.
  • Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Add the chicken thighs to the air fryer basket, skin-side down and without touching. Cook, flipping skin-side up halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part (avoiding the bone) reads 165 degrees F, about 18 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS



Air Fryer Chicken Wings image

Skip the deep-fryer and forget soggy oven chicken wings. The air fryer offers the best of both worlds for crispy wings without extra fat!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     appetizer

Time 40m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Nonstick cooking spray, for the basket
2 pounds chicken wings, split at the joint and tips removed
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving

Steps:

  • Spray the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer with cooking spray and set aside. Pat the chicken wings dry and sprinkle generously with salt. Place the wings in the fryer basket so they are not touching (if necessary to fit, line up the drumettes standing upright along the sides). Set the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings with tongs and cook for 12 minutes more. Flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390 degrees F and cook until the outsides are extra-crispy, about 6 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, warm the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the hot sauce.
  • Toss the wings with the butter mixture to coat in a large bowl and serve with dressing on the side.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN



Crispy Fried Chicken image

I experimented for many years before developing this recipe. It's bits and pieces of hints I had heard over the years. I have had many compliments on this chicken. Most of this recipe is dependant on your own taste. It's more a matter of preparation and cooking method!

Provided by Elaine O

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Fried Chicken Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste
2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

  • Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
  • Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
  • Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
  • Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.5 g, Cholesterol 116.1 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 40.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 140.1 mg, Sugar 1.6 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

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 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

Tips:

  • Use a good quality air fryer for best results.
  • Make sure your chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture before cooking.
  • Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
  • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Conclusion:

Crispy air-fried chicken is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

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