Make Breaded Chicken In An Air Fryer: Secrets Revealed!

There are a few tricks to making breading stick to chicken when using an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to coat the chicken thoroughly, ensuring there are no bare spots. Secondly, allowing the chicken to rest after breading and before frying will help the coating to adhere better. Thirdly, using a small amount of oil will help the breadcrumbs stick and create a crispy texture.

Marinate chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce

Marinating chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce is a great first step to achieving juicy, moist, and tender fried chicken. Buttermilk's acidity tenderises the meat and the thickness of the buttermilk helps the flour coating stick to the chicken. For the best results, it is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least one hour or even overnight in the refrigerator.

If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk. You can also use a combination of whole milk and yoghurt.

After marinating, remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge it in seasoned flour. You can season the flour with spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Make sure to coat the chicken thoroughly, ensuring there are no bare spots.

Next, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk, and then coat it with breadcrumbs or panko. You can also do a second round of egg wash and breadcrumbs for a thicker coating.

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, spritz it with oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Air fry at 370-390°F for about 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried chicken!

Use seasoned flour for coating

Using seasoned flour for coating is a great way to ensure your breading sticks to the chicken. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Before coating your chicken, you can brine it in a solution of room-temperature water and salt. This will make your chicken super tender and juicy. If you have time, you can also marinate the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk, egg whites, and spices. This will give your chicken a classic fried chicken tenderness and enhance its flavour.

Step 2: Prepare the Seasoned Flour

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour with your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix the flour and seasonings until they are well combined.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it thoroughly with the seasoned flour. Make sure to get into all the crevices of the chicken to ensure an even coating with no bare spots. You can use tongs to handle the chicken and avoid getting your hands messy.

Step 4: Prepare for Frying

After coating the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes to allow the coating to adhere better. You can also place the coated chicken in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. This will help the breading set and ensure it doesn't fall off during frying.

Step 5: Fry the Chicken

Once your chicken has rested, it's time to fry! Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 350-390°F (180-200°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, making sure the pieces don't overlap. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is ready when it turns golden brown and crispy.

Tips for Success:

• Use a meat thermometer to check if your chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
• If using an oil spray, lightly coat the chicken and the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Press the breadcrumbs into the meat

Pressing the breadcrumbs into the meat is a crucial step in ensuring that the breading adheres to the chicken and creates a crispy texture. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for pressing the breadcrumbs:

• After coating the chicken piece in the flour mixture, shake off any excess flour. This ensures a thin and complete coating.
• Using your hands, firmly press the breadcrumbs into the meat. Make sure to cover all surfaces of the chicken, including crevices, to ensure an even and thorough coating.
• Repeat the dredging process for a thicker coating. You can dip the chicken in an egg mixture and then back into the breadcrumbs, pressing them firmly onto the surface.
• Allow the breaded chicken to rest before frying. This helps the coating adhere better to the meat and also brings the chicken to room temperature, resulting in more even cooking.
• If using an air fryer, preheat it to the desired temperature before placing the chicken inside. This helps prevent the chicken from drying out.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if needed, to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to achieve an even crispiness on all sides.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.

Ensure all crevices of the chicken are coated

To ensure all crevices of the chicken are coated, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your chicken by slicing it into thin cutlets or strips. This will ensure the chicken cooks faster and more evenly. Then, drizzle or spray the chicken with oil and distribute it evenly with your hands so that the chicken is well coated.

Next, prepare your breading/coating by mixing breadcrumbs with seasonings like chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a shallow dish. You can also season the flour with your choice of spices. Make sure to season the chicken generously, as this is where most of the flavor comes from.

Now, for the breading process, you have two options. You can either coat the chicken with seasoned flour, then dip it in a whisked egg mixture, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Or, you can simply coat the chicken with oil and then directly into the seasoned breadcrumbs. For both methods, ensure that every crevice and surface of the chicken is fully coated with no bare spots. You can use your hands to press the breadcrumbs or flour firmly into the meat to ensure an even and thorough coating.

Finally, allow the chicken to rest after breading and before frying. This helps the coating adhere better to the meat and also ensures more consistent frying.

Allow the chicken to rest after breading

Allowing the chicken to rest after breading is an important step in achieving the perfect crispiness and retaining moisture and flavour. By letting the chicken sit for a while, you give the breading time to set and adhere better to the meat, which helps prevent it from falling off during frying. This resting period is especially crucial if you want a thicker coating on your chicken.

The ideal resting time for breaded chicken is about 30 minutes in the refrigerator before frying. This duration allows the breading to dry slightly and form a stronger bond with the chicken, ensuring a crispy and well-coated exterior when cooked. During this time, the flavours from the seasonings in the breading also have a chance to infuse into the meat, resulting in a more flavourful and well-seasoned dish.

Additionally, resting the chicken before breading is equally important. This step helps the sectionings penetrate deeper into the meat and allows the proteins in the chicken to relax, resulting in a more tender and juicy texture when cooked. It also gives any excess moisture on the surface of the chicken time to be absorbed, creating a drier surface that promotes better adhesion of the breading.

In conclusion, resting your chicken after breading is a crucial step that significantly enhances the final dish. It ensures a crispier texture, better flavour development, and prevents the breading from falling off during cooking. So, the next time you're cooking up a batch of fried chicken, remember to factor in that all-important resting time!

Frequently asked questions