How To Make Delicious Fried Chicken In An Air Fryer

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is the best, if you want a crusty and juicy fried chicken without the stress of deep frying.

The air fryer cooks the chicken in as little as an hour and will keep your favorite seasoning locked inside the chicken for a real feast.

You can also cool your chicken in batches and reheat it in 10 minutes if you want to serve it all at once.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Mix the garlic, pepper, salt, and buttermilk in a container or resealable plastic bag.
2. Add the chicken to the mixture, seal it, and refrigerate for an hour or more. While in the fridge, turn the bag once or twice.
3. After that, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.
4. Take two tablespoons of water, preferably from the refrigerated mixture, and add to the flour. Mix well to create little lumps.
5. Spray the basket with olive oil cooking spray and preheat to 360 degrees. Remove the chicken and the mic from the flour mixture. Shake to remove any excess.
6. Place the chicken in the air fryer with the skin side up. Spray a little oil on the chicken to enhance its crispiness.
7. Fry chicken for twenty-seven minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is crisp and golden.
8. Check chicken halfway through and spray oil on any spot that looks floury.
9. When ready, remove the chicken from the air fryer and season with a little salt (optional).
10. Repeat the process till all chicken is fried. Serve and enjoy.

How Long Do I Cook Air Fryer Chicken?

1. The time it takes to cook air fry chicken depends on the thickness of the meat, whether it has skin on or skin off, or the size of the cuts.
2. For chicken thighs, air fry at 180 to 185 degrees F for 25 to 28 minutes. Cook till the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F on an instant thermometer.
3. Professional cooks suggest that cooking thigh at a higher temperature helps break down the meat fiber-fast, giving you a more tender chicken thigh.
4. Chicken breast cooks for about 25 minutes at 165 degrees F in an air fryer. But if you are cooking larger ones, they may take longer.
5. For chicken tenders, it will air fry for just 15 to 16 minutes, depending on the thickness.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Fried Chicken

• Below are some of the best side dishes for air fryer
• Coleslaw or Asian cabbage slaw.
• Potatoes: Crockpot baked potato or mashed potato.
• Sauteed Veggies: Sauteed cabbage, sauteed carrot, or sauteed sprouts.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli or roasted brussels sprouts.
• Barbecue sauce
• Greek yogurt ranch dip
• Macaroni and cheese

Tips to Make the Best Air Fryer Fried Chicken

1. Add a bit of hot sauce to the buttermilk as it helps to up the heat a tiny bit.
2. Use parchment paper to reduce mess. It also helps to prevent the sticking of the chicken drumstick.
3. Arrange chicken in a single layer to enhance crispiness.

Wrap Up!

Air fryer chicken is a dream come true. It is easy to make and you can have your meal ready in no time. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the mess that comes with using a deep fryer.