Air-Frying Crispy Chicken Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to make fried chicken that's healthier, quicker, and less messy than traditional methods. The key to getting that crispy texture and juicy flavour is to use a combination of buttermilk and flour for the coating, with a variety of seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add hot sauce to the buttermilk to give it some extra heat. It's important to spray the chicken with oil during cooking to ensure even cooking and to get that crispy texture. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of chicken you use, but on average, it should take around 25 minutes in an air fryer preheated to around 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients. Most recipes call for buttermilk, which is a key ingredient in traditional fried chicken. It helps the batter stick to the chicken and keeps the meat tender. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the buttermilk to add a bit of spice, or use a homemade teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savoury flavour. Other marinade ingredients include common herbs and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and rosemary. You can also add olive oil or another cooking oil to your marinade.

Next, prepare the chicken. Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are often recommended for air fryer fried chicken, as they result in more flavourful and juicy meat. Thighs, drumsticks, and breasts are all good options, and you can use a mix of these cuts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but these have a tendency to dry out, so be careful not to overcook them. If using large chicken breasts, slice them in half horizontally. Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade to ensure it is extra crispy and juicy.

Now, it's time to combine the chicken and the marinade. Add the chicken pieces to a bowl or resealable bag with the marinade, ensuring that the meat is fully coated. You can also pierce the chicken with a fork several times to help the marinade penetrate the meat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours. The ideal marinating time seems to be around 4 hours. Always keep the marinating chicken in the fridge, and never leave raw poultry out at room temperature.

Finally, when you are ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade and let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Then, follow the rest of your recipe as normal, breading and air-frying the chicken until it is cooked through.

Breading the chicken

Preparation

Before you begin breading, it's important to prepare the chicken pieces properly. Start by trimming any excess fat from the edges of skin-on chicken. You can also remove the skin completely if you prefer. Then, season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. This step ensures the chicken is evenly seasoned before it's coated in the breading mixture.

Marinating

In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. You can also add spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Add the chicken pieces to this mixture and let them marinate. Marinating the chicken helps tenderise the meat and gives it that classic fried chicken flavour. You can let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours if you're prepping in advance.

Breading Station Setup

While the chicken is marinating, it's a good time to set up your breading station. You'll need three shallow dishes or bowls for the breading process. In the first dish, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple seasoning blend like salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or a touch of cayenne pepper. The flour and seasoning mixture will create a delicious and crispy coating on the chicken.

In the second dish, whisk an egg until it's well beaten. The egg acts as a binding agent and helps the flour coating adhere to the chicken. You can also use a combination of eggs and milk if you prefer.

Finally, prepare the third dish by adding breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs tend to work better than panko breadcrumbs, as they absorb more of the seasoning. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned varieties like Italian-style or garlic-flavoured breadcrumbs. If you want an extra crispy coating, you can also add a small amount of cornstarch to the breadcrumbs.

Dredging and Coating

Now it's time to coat the chicken with the breading. First, remove a piece of chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid. Then, use tongs or your hands to dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated. Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, making sure it's well coated. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they adhere.

Repeat this process for each piece of chicken, placing the coated pieces on a foil-lined baking sheet or wire rack while you finish the rest. This breading process will give your fried chicken a delicious, crispy texture.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or breasts for the best results.
• If you prefer less fat, you can remove the skin from the chicken before breading.
• Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderise the meat and enhances the flavour.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, ensuring proper air circulation.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray or olive oil before placing it in the air fryer for a crispier coating.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken has been marinated, coated, and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the chicken. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces are not overlapping. It's fine if they touch, but they shouldn't overlap to allow for airflow over as much surface area as possible.

Close the air fryer and set the temperature to between 350°F and 390°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the model of your air fryer, but on average, it will take around 15-25 minutes to cook the chicken.

Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and check on the chicken. Use an oil mister or cooking spray to spritz any dry spots on the chicken with a little more oil. This will help ensure an even, crispy coating. Close the air fryer and continue cooking.

Your chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

If you're cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in a preheated oven at 200°F while you cook the remaining chicken.

Tips for Cooking the Chicken

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed to allow for proper airflow.
• Be generous with the oil spray to ensure all the flour is coated and the chicken gets crispy.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it's fully cooked.
• If you're making this recipe in advance, it's best to reheat the chicken in the air fryer to maintain its crispiness. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the breading soggy.

Reheating the chicken

Now that you've made your delicious fried chicken in the air fryer, you might be wondering how to reheat it without losing that crispy texture. Well, you're in luck! The air fryer is the best way to reheat fried chicken and restore its crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy. Here's what you need to do:

• If your chicken is refrigerated, take it out and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the chicken reheat more evenly.
• Preheat your air fryer to 365-375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
• Lightly brush or spray the chicken with a thin layer of oil or your favourite sauce. This will enhance the flavour and crispiness.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces don't overlap. This ensures proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Reheat for about 3-10 minutes, depending on the size and type of chicken. For example, chicken tenders will take less time (around 2-5 minutes), while a whole chicken will take longer (10-15 minutes).
• Flip the chicken halfway through the reheating time to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat.
• Once the chicken is heated through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute or two before serving.

And that's it! You now have perfectly reheated fried chicken that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Enjoy!

Storing the chicken

Storing your fried chicken is an important step in the cooking process. It is recommended that fried chicken is not left at room temperature for more than 30-60 minutes, and it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you plan on storing it for longer, it is best to freeze it.

Before storing your chicken, it is important to let it cool to room temperature. This should take around 30 minutes. You can then wrap each piece of chicken individually in foil or a reusable food wrap before placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It is important to remove as much excess moisture as possible to preserve the breading. Using a drying rack and a fan can help speed up this process.

If you are freezing your fried chicken, it is best to use a freezer with a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can be stored for up to 12 months. If frozen at a lower temperature, it should be used within 6 months.

When reheating your fried chicken, it is best to avoid the microwave as this can make the breading soggy. Instead, use an air fryer or a preheated oven at 300-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

Frequently asked questions