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–+ servings
air fryer fried chicken

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

5 from 1 vote
Get the satisfying crunch of traditional fried chicken without the deep fryer. This recipe uses a simple buttermilk marinade and a seasoned flour dredge for perfectly crispy, juicy results in under 45 minutes of active time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks Keeps meat juicy
  • 1 cup buttermilk For tenderizing
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Creates the durable crust
  • ½ cup cornstarch Adds extra crunch
  • 1 tablespoon paprika For color and savory flavor
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder Essential seasoning base
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust to preferred heat level
  • avocado oil spray Crucial for crisping the flour

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer For cooking
  • 1 Large bowl For marinating
  • 1 shallow dish For breading
  • 1 oil sprayer For applying oil
  • 1 meat thermometer To check doneness

Method
 

  1. Submerge the chicken pieces in buttermilk in a large bowl, covering and refrigerating for at least two hours until tenderized.
    submerging raw chicken pieces in buttermilk
  2. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish until completely combined with no clumps.
    whisking seasoned flour for air fryer fried chicken
  3. Press each piece of marinated chicken firmly into the flour mixture until heavily coated, leaving no wet spots visible.
  4. Arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer in a preheated 380°F air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch.
    placing breaded chicken in an air fryer basket
  5. Spray the chicken heavily with oil and cook for 15 minutes, then flip, spray dry spots, and cook 10 more minutes until golden brown and 165°F inside.

Nutrition

Serving: 250gCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 32gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 80mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Always check your chicken for dry flour spots halfway through cooking and spray them generously with oil to guarantee a perfectly golden crust.

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