Are you looking for a healthier way to cook your favorite chicken dishes? Air frying has become very popular over the years because of its convenience. Yet, some people might worry that they don’t taste good due to the lack of flavor from using oils or fats.
Why We Love Air Fried Southern Chicken?
Air fryers are one of those kitchen appliances that we love because cooking is easy. They make everything taste better, and they’re convenient too. But there’s something about air-frying food that makes it even tastier. There’s nothing quite like the crunchy golden crust you get on foods cooked in an air fryer. And now you can enjoy that crispiness every day with our recipe for air-fried chicken.
Which chicken should I use?
The best chicken for this dish is a broiler. They add flavor without being overwhelming. White chicken or even sliced baby chicken work too. If you want something hearty enough to stand up to the sauce, Try to use larger chicken.
How to Clean Chicken
Before you cook fried chicken, it’s important to clean them off. If you don’t, the oil could splatter the food you are cooking. So, how do you clean chicken? First, wash them under running water. Then, use a Damp paper towel to wipe away any excess dirt.
Recipe-1
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Serving: 8 person
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Breakfast
Nutrition Information
580 Cals 1 serving: 580 calories, 39g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.
Ingredients
- A broiler or fryer chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds)Â
- 1 cup of buttermilk, splitÂ
- 3 teaspoons of kosher salt, dividedÂ
- 1 teaspoon of finely crushed pepper
- Fuel for cooking in a deep-fat fryer
- Two cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. of dried onion flakes
- The equivalent of one teaspoon of garlic powder
- Season with paprika, one teaspoon at a time.
Directions
Stir together 2 cups buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a wide, shallow basin. Mix in the chicken and toss to coat. Wrap well and chill in the fridge overnight.
Oil should be heated at 375 degrees, either in an electric skillet or deep fryer. In the meantime, fill a small bowl with the remaining buttermilk and set it aside. Mix together the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and remaining salt and pepper in a separate shallow basin.
Half of the flour mixture should be transferred to a second, smaller basin (for a second coat of breading). Remove chicken from the marinade and pat dry. Coat both sides in the flour mixture and then shake off the excess.
Coat in buttermilk and shake off the excess. Bread the chicken again by dipping it in the remaining flour mixture and patting it to ensure a good coating.
Fry the chicken until it is browned on both sides and the juices run clear, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Paper towels for the drain.
Recipe-2
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Serving: 8 person
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Breakfast
Nutrition Information: 226 Cals, 32.5 Protein, Carbs 10 Fats
Ingredients
- 1 cup FlourÂ
- 1/4 cup Creole KickÂ
- 1tbsp Onion PowderÂ
- 1tbsp SaltÂ
- 1tbsp PepperÂ
- 6-8 pieces of ChickenÂ
- 1 1/2 cups ButterMilkÂ
- 1/2 cup Pickle JuiceÂ
Enough Frying oil to cover half the chickenÂ
Instructions
1. Take chicken out of the refrigerator and sit for 5 minutes.
2. Place chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Brush both sides of the chicken caps with egg mixture.
4. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over each cap.
5. Heat to 350-360 degrees chicken for 20 minutes or until tender.
6. Remove chicken from oven and brush tops with remaining flour to coat.
7. Return chicken to the oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Serve immediately with butter and sour cream. It’ll make the recipe into juicy Chicken.
Recipe-3
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Serving: 4 person
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Breakfast
Nutrition Information: 300 Cals, 32.5 Protein, Carbs 10 Fats
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh chicken
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to coat the DRY chicken with seasoning.Â
- Put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then spread them so they don’t overlap too much. The chicken should be easy to separate from each other but not stuck together as if you’d put them in a bowl of glue.Â
- Finally, bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.Â
How long do they keep?
I love to snack on these tasty pieces of chicken, which are perfect for the air fryer. Cooking time is under 10 minutes and preparation time is less than 5 minutes. However, you should only utilize fresh ingredients. Chicken that has been dried and stored in a pantry or freezer needs to be rehydrated in boiling water before it can be cooked.
Tips For Best Air Fryer Chicken
- Cut chicken to the same size to cook.
- Preheat the Air fryer.
- Don’t Place the chicken in multiple layers in the Air fryer basket or baking tray.
Notes
- If you double the recipe and cook in multiple batches, the first batch will take longer to cook. The Cooking times in the recipes are based on not preheating the Air Fryer.
- Set a timer to shake, flip, or toss the food as the recipe says.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What is the healthiest way to cook chicken?
The best way to cook chicken is to saute them in olive oil for about 10 minutes until they become tender. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Chicken should be cooked at medium heat to avoid burning them.
2. Are chickens good for weight loss?
Chicken is great for weight loss because they contain fiber, which helps digestion. They also provide B vitamins, iron, potassium, selenium, zinc, protein, and vitamin D. All of this help keep you healthy. Eating them regularly has been shown to boost metabolism, increase energy levels, and reduce stress.
3. Can I eat dirt on chicken?
Yes, eating dirt on the chicken is fine. This practice dates back to ancient times when chicken hunters would leave some dirt on top of the chicken they picked. Nowadays, you won’t be able to find any old chicken hunter who doesn’t do this.
4. Do you need to wash packaged chicken?
Yes, you should always wash chicken. Especially when buying them from bulk bins at grocery stores. Washing the chicken removes any unwanted debris that may be present on the surface of the chicken. If you do not wash chicken, they become slimy and have a bad smell that makes them unappetizing for eating.
5. How do you cook chicken so they don’t get soggy?
Chicken should be cooked until tender. Then add to soups, salads, pasta dishes, stir-fries, etc. When cooking them, try to use about 1/4 cup of water for each pound of chicken. You may also saute the chicken first if you want to add flavor.
Conclusion
The stress of preparing a nutritious and tasty supper will never be an issue again with these simple recipes for the air fryer. What’s even better? These quick and easy meals can be prepared in under 10 minutes. Fried or baked chicken is the way to go. However, when you don’t want to use oil, the aforementioned methods for air-fried chicken are exactly what you need.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
