Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken: A Delicious Meal You’ll Love!
Introduction
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is the ultimate solution when you crave fried chicken without the hassle—and mess—of deep frying. Delivering juicy, tender meat beneath a perfectly crisp coating, this recipe is simple, lighter than traditional versions, and ready in a fraction of the time. With just the right blend of spices and the magic of hot circulating air, you’ll wow your taste buds and guests alike.
Why This Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Works
The secret to this unforgettable fried chicken lies in the air fryer’s ability to create a golden, crunchy crust while keeping the chicken beautifully succulent inside. Best of all, there’s minimal oil required, making each piece satisfyingly crisp rather than greasy. This recipe promises bold flavors and irresistible texture using everyday ingredients—an ideal dish for quick weeknight dinners or fun family gatherings.
Prepping Your Chicken and Ingredients
Selecting uniform pieces ensures even cooking. Use a sharp chef’s knife on a sturdy Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 for safe, precise prep. Marinating the chicken in buttermilk guarantees tenderness and helps the seasoned coating adhere for that shattering crunch. For a mess-free breading station and quick veggie slicing for sides, consider the versatile Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper.
How to Achieve Maximum Crunch in the Air Fryer
Here’s the key: preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey and lightly mist the breaded chicken with a spritz of oil (an YARRAMATE 16oz/470ml Oil Sprayer for Cooking, Black works great) to help the coating crisp up deeply and evenly. Placing the chicken on a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll or a disposable air fryer liner makes cleanup practically effortless.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
Pair your crispy air fryer fried chicken with a bright side salad, fries, or classic coleslaw. Store leftovers in airtight containers such as Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to enjoy crispy, delicious chicken the next day.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 4 to 6 servings, depending on the size of your chicken pieces. Each piece is lower in fat—and guilt—than traditional fried chicken. Expect roughly 280–350 calories per serving, mainly dependent on the cut and amount of breading.
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Recap)
Expect all the flavor and satisfaction of classic fried chicken with a fraction of the oil, no splatter, and far less mess. Your family and friends will think you spent hours in the kitchen—only you’ll know how easy (and healthy) this air fryer version really is.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce (if using). Add chicken, toss to coat, and refrigerate covered for 1 to 4 hours.
- Prepare the breading: In a shallow bowl, mix flour, panko, paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the coating in firmly for maximum crunch.
- Preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. For easy cleanup and nonstick cooking, line the basket with a piece from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll or Air Fryer Paper Liners, 125Pcs Parchment Paper, 8IN Square.
- Arrange chicken in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Lightly mist the coated chicken with oil using a YARRAMATE 16oz/470ml Oil Sprayer for Cooking, Black.
- Air fry for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crunchy. For food safety, double check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) using a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking.
- Remove from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40–45 minutes (excluding marination)
