Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a great way to make fried chicken that's crispy, tender, and juicy—and with less grease and mess. While it may not be exactly the same as cast-iron or deep-fried chicken, it's a close second—and it's healthier and faster. You can use a variety of chicken cuts and types of breading, and you can even make it without breading at all. It's easy to clean up, too, since there's no oil to dispose of.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Fried Chicken
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 15-20 minutes on one side, 5-10 minutes on the other side |
| Reheat Time | 7-10 minutes in an air fryer, 8-10 minutes in a 300°F oven |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F |
| Reheating Method | Air fryer or oven |
| Do Not Use | Microwave |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days |
| Freezing | Put in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months |
| Defrosting | Thaw overnight in the refrigerator |
| Chicken Type | Chicken wings, legs, thighs, breast, strips, or a whole chicken |
| Chicken Skin | Skin-on or skinless |
| Chicken Meat | White or dark |
| Chicken Bone | Bone-in or boneless |
| Coating | Flour, breadcrumbs, or no breading |
| Oil | Olive oil or cooking spray |
| Single Layer | Recommended for even cooking |
| Breading Mixture | Buttermilk, eggs, paprika, hot sauce, salt, pepper, baking powder, and baking soda |
| Flour Mixture | Flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika |
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$9.97
What You'll Learn
How to get the chicken crispy
To get the chicken crispy, you can use a few different methods. Firstly, it is important to coat the chicken in a breading or flour mixture before cooking. This will give the chicken a crispy outer layer. You can use breadcrumbs or flour for this step. If you want a KFC-style flavour, use flour. If you want to make your own buttermilk, you can add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Another way to ensure crispiness is to spray the chicken with cooking spray or olive oil spray before placing it in the air fryer. This will help to create a crispy, golden crust. Be sure to place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow the hot air to circulate and crisp up the chicken evenly. You can also flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray it again with cooking spray to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Additionally, preheating the air fryer can help to crisp up the crust. By giving the crust a quick blast of heat, you can ensure it becomes nice and crispy. It is also important to note that reheating leftover chicken in the microwave will make the skin soggy. Instead, reheat in the air fryer or a preheated oven to maintain crispiness.
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How to reheat fried chicken
If you have leftover fried chicken, you can reheat it in an air fryer to keep its crispy texture. It is recommended to let the chicken come to room temperature before reheating.
First, preheat your air fryer to 360°F–375°F (180°C–190°C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking. Then, arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded so that hot air can flow around them. Reheat the chicken for 5–10 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Alternatively, you can reheat fried chicken in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 300°F–400°F (149°C–204°C). Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and lay the chicken pieces in a single layer on the rack. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature, then place it in the oven and bake for 8–10 or 20–25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is ready when it is thoroughly heated inside and out without being too deeply browned.
Do not reheat fried chicken in the microwave, as this can make the skin soggy.
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How to store fried chicken
To store fried chicken, it is important to let the chicken cool to room temperature before storing it. This is to prevent condensation from forming within the container, which can make the chicken soggy. While the chicken is cooling, prepare a clean, airtight container. Line the bottom and sides of the container with paper towels to absorb any juices from the chicken, helping it to stay crisp.
Once the chicken has cooled, place it in the container and cover it with another paper towel before sealing. Fried chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you do not want to use a container, you can also store the chicken in a resealable plastic bag. To create a vacuum seal, fold the bag over itself to remove excess air. Alternatively, wrap the chicken in several layers of aluminium foil, ensuring no air bubbles or tears are present to better seal in moisture and flavour.
If you wish to freeze your fried chicken, place it in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to six months. When reheating fried chicken, it is best to avoid using a microwave as it can make the skin soggy. Instead, use an air fryer, a preheated oven, or a deep fryer to retain the chicken's texture and crispiness.
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How to prepare the chicken before cooking
Preparing the chicken before cooking is a crucial step in the process of making fried chicken in an air fryer oven. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare the chicken:
Wash and Dry the Chicken:
Start by rinsing the chicken pieces under cold water. You can use a whole chicken and cut it into pieces yourself, or buy pre-cut chicken parts such as breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the coating adhere better and ensure crispy results.
Prepare the Breading:
You can use a variety of coatings for your chicken. A traditional option is to use a flour mixture. In a shallow dish, combine flour with seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add cornstarch to the flour mixture for an extra crispy texture. Another option is to use breadcrumbs instead of flour for a crispier coating.
Prepare the Buttermilk Mixture:
In a separate bowl, prepare a buttermilk mixture by combining buttermilk with eggs, paprika, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. You can also add baking powder and baking soda to this mixture. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Dredge the Chicken:
This step involves coating the chicken pieces with the dry and wet mixtures. First, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring all sides are well coated. Then, dip the floured chicken into the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture one more time, or use breadcrumbs for this final coating.
Rest and Air Fry:
After dredging, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the coating to set. This step helps ensure that the coating doesn't slide off during cooking. Once rested, spray the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray or olive oil spray, ensuring all areas are coated. This step adds moisture and helps achieve an even crispier exterior.
Now that your chicken is prepared, it's time to arrange the pieces in the air fryer basket and start cooking! Remember to cook in batches if your air fryer is not large enough to accommodate all the chicken pieces in a single layer.
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What to serve with fried chicken
When serving fried chicken, it's a good idea to offer a variety of textures and temperatures. As fried chicken is best served fresh and hot, choose sides that can be prepared ahead of time and served cold or at room temperature.
If you're looking for a light and refreshing side, consider a salad. Salads can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, and they offer a great way to add some crunchy, fresh flavours to your meal. Bean salads are colourful, healthy, and filling, and can be made with black-eyed peas, cucumber, avocado, feta, chickpeas, or tomatoes. You could also try a broccoli salad with bacon and a sweetened mayonnaise dressing, or a simple cucumber salad with herbs like basil, mint, and dill. For a more classic option, a creamy coleslaw is always a winner, and can be made quickly and easily with bagged, shredded slaw veggies and a creamy or vinegar-based dressing.
If you're a fan of bread, cornbread is a classic, comforting choice that goes well with fried chicken. It's easy to make and can be served with honey, jalapeño, or buttery add-ins. Buttermilk biscuits are another soft and buttery option, and can be served with jam or gravy. For something denser, try cheddar cheese biscuits or potato rolls.
For something more hearty, macaroni and cheese is a popular choice to serve with fried chicken, offering a nice textural contrast to the crunchy chicken. Baked beans are another classic, filling option, and can be made with BBQ sauce, dijon, smoked paprika, and chipotle. For a healthier option, try serving your fried chicken with roasted red-skinned potatoes, or a variety of vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, okra, or squash.
Finally, if you're serving fried chicken in the summer, consider adding some fruity flavours to your meal. A simple watermelon is a refreshing choice, and can be paired with cucumber and feta to make a bright summer salad.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook fried chicken in an air fryer, first coat the chicken in a buttermilk mixture. Then, dredge the chicken in flour, ensuring both sides are well coated. Next, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, allowing enough room for hot air to circulate. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush with oil. Air fry at 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes around 20-30 minutes to cook fried chicken in an air fryer.
To reheat fried chicken, place it in the air fryer or a preheated oven at 300-350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Do not reheat in the microwave, as this will make the skin soggy.
Fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
