Air-Fryer Southern Fried Chicken: Is It Possible?

If you're craving Southern-fried chicken but want to avoid the mess and calories of deep-frying, an air fryer might be the answer. Air-frying chicken is healthier, quicker, and less hassle than traditional frying methods. It's also said to produce a similar taste and texture to deep-fried chicken, with a crunchy, golden, and juicy finish.

To make Southern-fried chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to brine or marinate the chicken in buttermilk, coat it in a flour and spice mixture, and then cook it in the air fryer for around 20-30 minutes, depending on the cut of chicken.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients for the marinade. You can use a variety of oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. For the vinegar, you can use balsamic, red wine, or white vinegar. If you are not gluten-intolerant, you can use low-sodium soy sauce; otherwise, coconut aminos is a great gluten-free substitute. Finally, for seasonings, dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, pepper, and salt are good options.

Once you have your ingredients, mix them together in a small bowl until they are well blended. Next, add your chicken to a large bowl or plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are coated. Cover or seal, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours. The longer you marinate, the more intense the flavour will be; however, do not exceed 24 hours, as the meat will start to break down.

When you are ready to cook your Southern fried chicken, remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overlap or stack the chicken pieces. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Now your chicken is ready for frying! Follow the steps for air-frying Southern fried chicken, and enjoy your delicious, juicy, and flavourful meal.

Preparing the breading

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

The first step in preparing the breading is to actually start with the marinade. In a large bowl or ziplock bag, place your chicken pieces and cover them with buttermilk. You can also add in spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and even a bit of hot sauce for some extra kick. Let the chicken marinate in this mixture for at least an hour, or even overnight if you want more intense flavours.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

While the chicken is marinating, it's time to prepare the dry ingredients for the breading. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch (or rice flour), and your choice of seasonings. You can use garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper for some heat, and salt to taste. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even seasoning throughout your breading.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Once your chicken has finished marinating, it's time to coat it with the breading mixture. Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Then, gently press the chicken into the flour mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated. You can also repeat the dipping process by dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again for extra crispiness.

Step 4: Rest the Chicken

After coating the chicken, it's a good idea to let it rest for a while. Place the breaded chicken on a clean plate or wire rack and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This will help the flour mixture absorb some of the moisture and ensure a crispier coating.

Step 5: Spray with Oil

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, lightly spray or brush each piece with olive oil or cooking spray. This step is important as it helps the chicken develop a crispy exterior when cooked. Make sure to coat the chicken lightly on all sides.

Step 6: Air Fry!

Finally, it's time to cook your Southern fried chicken in the air fryer! Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there's enough space between each piece for the air to circulate. Cook at 350°F to 380°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. For bone-in pieces, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.

Coating the chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

The key to juicy, flavourful fried chicken is in the marinade. Buttermilk is the star ingredient here, as its acidity helps to tenderise the chicken and ensures the coating adheres better. Place your chicken pieces in a large bowl or ziplock bag, pour in buttermilk, and season lightly with salt. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight for more intense flavours.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

While the chicken is soaking up all those delicious flavours, it's time to prep the crispy coating. For the perfect crunch, combine all-purpose flour with cornstarch and a generous amount of seasonings. The cornstarch is a secret weapon, adding that extra crunch and helping to achieve the Southern fried chicken texture we all crave. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together flour, cornstarch, and seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. If you like your chicken with a kick, add some cayenne pepper.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now the fun part begins! Take your chicken pieces out of the buttermilk marinade and let any excess liquid drip off. This step is important to ensure a nice, even coating. Gently press the chicken into the flour mixture, making sure all sides are well coated. For that extra crispy texture, you can repeat the process by dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again.

Step 4: The Secret to a Crispy Exterior

The final touch before air frying is to lightly spray or brush the chicken with olive oil. This step is key to achieving that golden, crispy exterior without having to submerge the chicken in oil. A light coating of oil will help the breading crisp up and give it that beautiful, crunchy golden brown colour.

Air frying the chicken

To begin, you will need to marinate the chicken in buttermilk. This helps to tenderise the chicken and ensure a juicy, flavoursome result. It also helps the breading to adhere better. You can add a number of spices to the buttermilk, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and hot sauce. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 10 minutes, but preferably for an hour or even overnight.

Next, prepare the breading. Combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. You can add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, baking powder, black pepper, and salt to taste. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Then, gently press the chicken into the flour mixture, ensuring all sides are covered. For extra crispiness, you can repeat this process, dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again.

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken pieces inside, leaving some space between each piece to allow the air to circulate. Air fry at between 350°F and 380°F for 15-20 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to settle, keeping the chicken tender and juicy. Serve immediately, as air-fried chicken does not stay crispy for long.

Resting and serving the chicken

Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, it's time to let it rest and serve it up!

Resting the chicken is an important step as it allows the juices to settle, keeping the meat tender and juicy. Depending on the size of your chicken pieces, you should let it rest for at least 5 minutes. If you've cooked larger pieces, you can let it rest for up to 10 minutes. This will ensure that the chicken stays moist and delicious.

While your chicken is resting, you can prepare your favourite sides. Some classic sides to go with Southern fried chicken include coleslaw, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cornbread. You can also serve it with a simple salad or some steamed vegetables.

When it comes to serving the chicken, it's best to do so immediately. The breading on air-fried chicken tends to lose its crispiness faster than traditional fried chicken. So, it's best to enjoy it while it's still nice and crunchy. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat your chicken, avoid using the microwave, as it can make the skin soggy. Instead, pop it into a preheated oven at 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes. This will help retain the crispiness of the breading.

Frequently asked questions