Ella Walter
Southern-fried chicken is a beloved comfort food, and cooking it in an air fryer makes it healthier and more convenient. The air fryer's hot air cooks the chicken with little to no additional oil, resulting in a crispy, juicy, and tender dish that's full of flavour. The key to success is in the preparation: marinating the chicken in buttermilk, seasoning, and even pickle juice, and then using a dry coating or breading to create a crispy exterior. While it may not taste exactly like deep-fried chicken, air-fried southern fried chicken is a delicious, healthier alternative that's definitely worth trying.
Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken pieces | Skin-on or skinless, bone-in or boneless, breasts, thighs, or other parts |
| Marinade | Buttermilk, egg, pickle juice, hot sauce, honey, salt, and pepper |
| Breading | Flour, baking soda, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other seasonings |
| Oil | Olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil |
| Cooking spray | Yes |
| Cooking temperature | 360–380°F (188–193°C) |
| Cooking time | 15–20 minutes, then an additional 5–10 minutes after flipping |
| Internal temperature | 165°F (74°C) |
| Colour | Golden brown |
| Texture | Crispy and juicy |
| Serving | Salads or any side dish of choice |
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$9.99
What You'll Learn
Marinating the chicken in buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and honey
Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in ensuring your southern fried chicken is juicy and flavourful. Here is a detailed guide on marinating the chicken in buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and honey:
Buttermilk:
Start by placing your chicken thighs or breasts in a shallow casserole dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight or even up to 36 hours. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which gently penetrates the meat, adding flavour and keeping the meat juicy.
Pickle Juice:
Combine the pickle juice with the buttermilk to create a brine for your chicken. The saltiness of the pickle juice will enhance the flavour and help lock in the juices during cooking. You can also use a combination of salty water and pickle juice for brining if you want to tone down the pickle flavour.
Hot Sauce:
Add a dash of your favourite hot sauce to the marinade for a subtle kick of heat. Different hot sauces will vary in heat and sweetness, so adjust the amount according to your preference. Remember, a little goes a long way, and you don't want to overpower the other flavours.
Honey:
To balance the heat and add a touch of sweetness to your fried chicken, include some honey in your marinade. Honey will also help the chicken achieve a beautiful golden colour when cooked. Mix the honey with the hot sauce, garlic, and white wine vinegar for a well-rounded flavour profile.
Remember, it is best not to marinate the chicken for more than a few hours, as extended exposure to acids can turn the meat mushy. However, since buttermilk contains lactic acid, which is gentler on the meat, you can safely leave the chicken in the buttermilk marinade overnight.
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Dredging the chicken in flour, baking soda, and spices
To make Southern fried chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to dredge the chicken in a mixture of flour, baking soda, and spices. This process creates a crispy coating on the chicken that is similar to traditional deep-fried chicken. Here's a step-by-step guide to dredging the chicken:
- In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and spices together. You can use a variety of spices and herbs such as seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, chives, or oregano.
- After marinating the chicken in buttermilk, remove the pieces from the marinade and pat them dry with a paper towel. Removing the excess moisture will help the dredge adhere better to the chicken.
- Take each piece of chicken and coat it thoroughly in the flour mixture. Gently shake off any excess flour. The flour mixture will stick to the moist surface of the chicken, creating a dry coating.
- Place the dredged chicken pieces on a plate or baking sheet. You can repeat this process for multiple batches of chicken if you are cooking for a larger group.
- Once all the chicken pieces are dredged, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. You can spray the chicken with oil or cooking spray before air frying to promote even browning and crispiness.
Remember, the dredging process is a crucial step in achieving the signature crispy texture of Southern fried chicken. By coating the chicken in flour, baking soda, and spices, you create a dry coating that will transform into a crunchy exterior when cooked in the air fryer.
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Using oil or cooking spray to crisp the chicken
To get your southern-fried chicken crispy in an air fryer, you'll need to use oil or cooking spray. While you need much less oil in an air fryer than for deep frying, some oil is still necessary for crispy "fried" chicken.
First, add oil to the air fryer basket, which you'll line with foil first. This is an important step to ensure the chicken crisps where it's in contact with the basket. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
Next, use cooking spray to coat the chicken all over before frying, creating a micro-layer of oil. Spray the oil all over the chicken pieces until no dry flour is visible. You can also use olive oil spray, or make your own oil spray using an oil sprayer.
Finally, cook the chicken at the right temperature. The recommended temperature for juicy and crispy chicken is 380°F (193°C). If you go cooler, the chicken won't be crispy enough, and if you go hotter, it's likely to overbrown and burn before the meat is cooked through. Chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the outside is crispy and golden brown.
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The ideal temperature to cook the chicken at
The ideal temperature to cook southern-fried chicken in an air fryer is a function of two factors: the internal temperature of the chicken and the temperature of the air fryer.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that poultry should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe to consume. This is to ensure that any harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, are killed. To check the internal temperature of the chicken, you can use a meat thermometer, inserting it into the thickest part of the meat.
Regarding the temperature of the air fryer, opinions vary. Some sources recommend cooking at 360°F for 15-20 minutes, then flipping the chicken and cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Others suggest a temperature of 380°F (193°C) as the ideal "Goldilocks spot", any lower and the chicken won't be crispy enough, and any higher will likely burn the exterior before the meat is cooked through.
It's worth noting that the temperature and cooking time can vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the size and cut of the chicken, and your desired level of crispness. It's always a good idea to keep a close eye on your chicken, especially during the final minutes of cooking, to prevent overcooking or burning.
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What to serve with the chicken
Now that you've cooked your Southern fried chicken in an air fryer, it's time to think about what to serve with it. Here are some ideas for side dishes that will complement your juicy, crispy chicken:
Salads and Vegetables
A fresh, light salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a great option if you're looking for something on the healthier side. You could also add some pickles to your salad for an extra crunch. If you're feeling more indulgent, a creamy salad with a base of sour cream and mayonnaise is another option. For something with a crunch, try fried okra, fried green tomatoes, or fritters. Green beans, lima beans, and chile peppers are a healthy veggie option, or you could go for a green bean casserole. If you like your greens, try a dish with bacon, onions, and red pepper for a flavourful kick.
Breads
No Southern-style meal would be complete without some cornbread or buttermilk biscuits on the side.
Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish, especially when served with gravy and biscuits. For something a little different, try potato salad or tater tots.
Pasta
Mac and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with fried chicken.
Other Sides
Coleslaw is a traditional side dish that goes well with fried chicken. You could also try something different like dirty rice, chicken adobo rice, or garlic fried rice. If you're looking for something sweet, corn on the cob is a great option, or you could go for something heartier like waffles or waffle fries.
With so many delicious options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect side dishes to accompany your air-fried Southern fried chicken!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need raw chicken, buttermilk, flour, eggs, pickle juice, hot sauce, honey, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oil.
Marinate the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper for at least 4 hours or overnight. Then, pat the chicken dry and dredge it in flour mixed with seasonings. Finally, coat the chicken with oil or butter before placing it in the air fryer.
Set the air fryer to 360-380°F and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
You can serve Southern fried chicken with sides such as salads, cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, or coleslaw.
