Air Fryer Fried Chicken: The Perfect, Crispy Comfort Food

Air fryer fried chicken is a healthier and easier version of traditional fried chicken. It is crunchy and golden on the outside, and tender, juicy, and full of flavour on the inside. The best part of this air fryer chicken is that you don’t have to cook it in oil. It’s healthier and it tastes even more delicious.

Marinating the chicken

To make the marinade, you will need buttermilk and hot sauce. The buttermilk will tenderize the chicken and add a tangy flavour, while the hot sauce will add a bit of zing without making the chicken spicy. For one cup of buttermilk, add three tablespoons of hot sauce. Whisk the mixture together in a medium-sized bowl. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.

Once the marinade is ready, add the chicken pieces and push them down to submerge them in the liquid. You can trim any excess fat from the chicken before adding it to the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for 5 to 10 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

After the chicken has finished marinating, you can start the breading process. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. The chicken is now ready for the next step in making air fryer fried chicken!

Breading the chicken

Marinating the Chicken:

Before breading, it's essential to marinate the chicken to infuse flavour and tenderness. In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preference; it adds a tangy flavour without making it too spicy. Submerge the chicken pieces in this mixture and let them marinate. For best results, marinate for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours in the refrigerator. This step helps tenderize the chicken and enhances the overall taste.

Prepare the Breading Mixture:

In a separate large bowl or a plastic food storage bag, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can use Old Bay Seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or a blend of your choice. Ensure the flour is well-seasoned. You can also add cornstarch and baking powder to the mixture to help create an extra crispy texture.

Coat the Chicken:

Take each piece of chicken out of the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Place the chicken into the flour mixture and coat it thoroughly. You can use tongs to ensure the chicken is entirely covered. Shake off any excess flour and transfer the coated chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet or a wire rack. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

While the chicken rests, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This step ensures the air fryer is ready to go once your chicken is breaded and helps the breading adhere better.

Oil the Chicken and Air Fryer Basket:

Lightly coat both sides of the breaded chicken with oil. You can use an oil mister or cooking spray for more control over the amount of oil used. Place the chicken into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. You can cook them in batches if needed. Lightly coat the chicken with oil again to ensure all dry spots are covered.

Air Frying:

Air fry the chicken at 390°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes. For thicker cuts of chicken or bone-in pieces, you may need to increase the cooking time. It's crucial to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken is marinated and breaded, it's time to cook it!

First, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. While you're waiting, lightly mist or spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken inside. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping, but it's okay if they're touching. Lightly mist or spray the tops of the chicken with oil.

Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for 25 minutes at 390°F (200°C). About halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and check for dry spots. If you see any, mist or spray them with a little more oil.

After 25 minutes, check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read meat thermometer. It should have reached at least 165°F (74°C). If not, continue cooking until it reaches the desired temperature.

Once the chicken is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips for Cooking the Chicken

• If you're using an oil mister, you can precisely control the amount of oil you're using and easily apply it to the chicken and air fryer basket.
• Avoid using aerosol non-stick cooking sprays, as these can damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time.
• Don't overlap the chicken pieces in the air fryer. This will restrict airflow and prevent the chicken from cooking properly.
• If you're cooking a large batch of chicken, cook it in batches to ensure even cooking. Keep the first batch warm in a low oven while cooking the rest.
• For extra crispy skin, try using skin-on chicken.

Reheating the chicken

Storing Your Fried Chicken:

Before reheating, it's important to properly store your leftover fried chicken. Place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. If you wish to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3-4 months. The sooner you eat it, the better it will taste!

Reheating in an Air Fryer:

If you want to retain the crispy goodness of your fried chicken, the best way to reheat it is by using your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 375°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces don't overlap. Reheat for about 4 to 5 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. This method helps keep the breading crispy and avoids the sogginess that can occur when using a microwave.

Reheating in an Oven:

If you don't have an air fryer, you can use a conventional oven to reheat your fried chicken. Preheat your oven to 300°F to 350°F. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm it in the oven until heated through, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. This method helps keep the crust crispy and heats the chicken evenly.

Food Safety:

It's important to note that you should not leave cooked chicken at room temperature for longer than two hours, as harmful bacteria can start to multiply. Always ensure your chicken is thoroughly cooked before consuming it. The recommended internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.

Chicken alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to chicken, there are plenty of plant-based substitutes that can be used to make air fryer "fried chicken". Here are some options:

Tofurky

Tofurky is a well-known brand that has been around since 1980, offering plant-based alternatives to turkey and chicken. Their slow-roasted chick'n products come in four different flavors: lightly seasoned, Thai basil, sesame garlic, and barbecue.

Abbot's Butcher

Abbot's Butcher is a plant-based meat company that offers a chicken alternative called "Chopped Chick'n". It's created in a slow-roast style, resulting in a tender, juicy, and mildly flavored product. The mild flavor means consumers can further season or marinate it to their liking.

Beyond Chicken Plant-Based Breaded Tenders

Beyond has become a dominant player in the meat alternative space, and their breaded tenders are a popular choice. While they may not taste exactly like chicken, they have nailed the texture of a chicken nugget. A serving of two nuggets provides a generous 13 grams of protein, derived from faba bean protein.

Butler Soy Curls

Butler Foods is an independent, family-owned business that offers plant-based alternatives to meat, including a chicken alternative with zero chemicals, additives, or preservatives. Their product, called "Chik-Style", is a seasoning that can be paired with their soy curls to achieve a rich and hearty chicken flavor. The soy curls are dehydrated and need to be soaked for about 15 minutes before preparation, just like real chicken.

Sweet Earth Foods

Sweet Earth Foods offers a wide range of plant-based chicken products, including chik'n fajita bowls, butter chick'n, Chinese chik'n, and Filipino adobo chik'n. Most of their chik'n meals are heat-and-go, making them convenient for those on the go.

Dr. Praeger's Purely Sensible Foods

Dr. Praeger's offers chik'n sliders and tenders in various flavors such as Gametime Buffalo and Grampa Mel's BBQ. Their products are now owned by the sons of the original founders, who are cardiac surgeons, so you can be sure that these plant-based options are good for your heart!

Gardein

Gardein offers a wide variety of plant-based chicken products, including wings, tenders, cutlets, strips, patties, fillets, and sliders. Their flavors are also diverse, with options like chipotle, Nashville hot, teriyaki, chipotle lime, and mandarin.

MorningStar Farms

MorningStar Farms offers a range of plant-based chicken products, including Chik'n nuggets, BBQ Chik'n nuggets, and Buffalo Chik patties. By 2021, all of their retail products are expected to be vegan.

No Evil Foods

No Evil Foods offers plant-based chicken called Comadre Cluck, which can be used for stir-fries, pot pies, chicken salads, sandwiches, and more. It's shredded, making it unique from other chicken alternatives that mimic either a chicken breast or chicken fingers.

With so many options available, you can easily find a chicken alternative to use in your air fryer "fried chicken" recipe!

Frequently asked questions