Air-Fried Chicken: Achieving The Perfect Crispiness

Air fryers are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They can make food crispy and golden, just like deep-frying, but with less fat and fewer calories. So, can you make crispy chicken in an air fryer? Absolutely! In fact, it's one of the best and easiest ways to cook chicken. All you need is some chicken, a breading or spice mix of your choice, and an air fryer, of course. The air fryer's powerful hot air will crisp up the outside of the chicken while keeping the inside juicy and tender. You can have delicious, crispy chicken ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup required. So, if you're looking for a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken that doesn't compromise on taste and texture, the air fryer is definitely the way to go!

How to make crispy chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Breadcrumbs
• Spices (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt)
• Buttermilk (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Flour (optional)
• Cornstarch (optional)

Method

• Prepare your chicken breasts by slicing them into thin cutlets. This will help the chicken cook quicker and more evenly.
• Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and use your hands to ensure they are well coated.
• In a shallow dish, mix together your breadcrumbs and chosen spices. You can season the chicken to your taste, but I recommend a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
• Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes. After the first 8-10 minutes, open the air fryer, flip the chicken, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
• Check that the chicken is cooked through. It should be golden and crispy on the outside, and white and tender on the inside. You can use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 165°F (75°C).

Tips

• For an extra crispy texture, you can bread the chicken with seasoned dried breadcrumbs and drizzle oil directly over the chicken.
• Brining the chicken beforehand is recommended to make it tender and juicy. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room-temperature water and let the chicken sit in this solution for at least 15 minutes, or up to 6 hours in the fridge. Then, rinse and pat dry before cooking.
• If you prefer a traditional breading method, you can use an egg and flour coating before coating with breadcrumbs.
• If you want to reduce the calories, you can make an unbreaded version by simply seasoning and drizzling oil over the chicken breasts before placing them in the air fryer.

The benefits of using an air fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer:

Healthy and Delicious

Air fryers give you the taste and texture of deep-fried foods with minimal oil. Traditional deep frying requires submerging food in oil, which adds a lot of unnecessary fat and calories. With an air fryer, you can achieve a crispy, golden crust without all the added oil, making it a healthier option.

Quick and Easy

Air fryers cook food quickly and easily. The cooking process is relatively simple: just put your food in, set the timer, and you're done. Plus, air fryers heat up very quickly, so you can have a meal ready in just minutes. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry.

Versatile

Air fryers can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes, from classic fried foods like fries and chicken wings to more creative recipes such as pizzas and desserts. They're also great for roasting vegetables, cooking fish, and even baking small batches of cookies or muffins.

Easy to Clean

Air fryers are also easy to clean. Most models have removable parts that are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. Simply wash the basket with soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge, or pop it in the dishwasher.

Energy-Efficient

Air fryers are energy-efficient, using less energy than traditional ovens and stovetops. This is good for both the environment and your wallet, as you can save money on your electricity bill while reducing your carbon footprint.

Great for Leftovers

The air fryer is also perfect for reinvigorating leftovers. Foods like pizza, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders come out hot and crispy, rather than soggy like they might in the microwave. It's a quick and easy way to transform yesterday's dinner into a tasty treat.

How to prepare the chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil, vegetable oil, or cooking spray
• Breadcrumbs
• Spices (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper)
• Buttermilk (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Flour (optional)
• Cornstarch (optional)

Instructions

• Cut the chicken into thin cutlets or strips.
• Drizzle or brush the chicken with oil.
• Prepare the breading/coating by mixing breadcrumbs and spices in a shallow dish.
• Coat each piece of chicken in the breading/coating, shaking off any excess.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F (176-200°C).
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between the pieces for air to circulate.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is ready when it is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

Tips

• For a thicker breading, dip the chicken in buttermilk and/or egg before coating with breadcrumbs.
• For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch instead of flour or breadcrumbs.
• Marinate the chicken in buttermilk before breading for extra tenderness and flavour.
• For crispy results, pat the chicken dry before coating.

How to make the chicken extra crispy

Making your chicken extra crispy in an air fryer is all about the prep and the right ingredients. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your chicken is crispy and tasty.

Brining and Marinating

Before you start, you can brine your chicken to ensure it stays juicy and tender. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room-temperature water and let the chicken sit in this solution for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry before you start cooking.

You can also marinate your chicken in buttermilk to give it that classic fried chicken tenderness. Leave the chicken in the buttermilk for at least an hour, or even overnight.

Breading

For the breading, you can use seasoned dried breadcrumbs with a drizzle of oil, or the traditional egg and flour method. If you go for the breadcrumbs, add your choice of spices and seasonings to the mix. This is where most of the flavour comes from, so be generous! Chilli powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt all work well.

If you're using the egg and flour method, dip the chicken in egg first, then flour, and repeat. This will create a thicker, crispier texture.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to around 350-390°F (180-200°C). You can then place your chicken in the basket, ensuring the pieces don't touch so the air can circulate. Spray the chicken with a little oil and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

For extra crispy chicken, you can cook at a lower temperature for longer, or cook in batches so you don't overcrowd the basket.

How to serve the chicken

Now that you've cooked your chicken in the air fryer, it's time to serve it! Here are some ideas for sides and sauces to accompany your crispy chicken creation:

Sides

• Potatoes
• Roasted vegetables (e.g. Brussels sprouts, broccoli)
• Sautéed veggies (e.g. cabbage, carrots)
• Slaw
• Macaroni and cheese
• Rice
• Salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Coleslaw
• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Fries
• Middle Eastern Batata Harra
• Cheesy mashed potato cakes

Sauces

• Homemade ranch
• Cayenne ranch sauce (with paprika, cayenne, and hot sauce)
• Lime crema
• Yum Yum sauce (like the sauce served at hibachi restaurants)
• Barbecue sauce
• Greek yogurt ranch dip
• Hot sauce

Frequently asked questions