Make Crispy Fried Chicken In An Air Fryer

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a healthier, less messy alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer reduces the fat and calories of traditionally calorie-dense foods, and it also makes less of a mess in the kitchen.

To make fried chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to first marinate the chicken in buttermilk, and then coat it with a mixture of flour and spices. You can also add an egg to the buttermilk to help bind the coating together. Then, place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through and spraying with cooking spray or oil. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

When it comes to the type of chicken, you have two main options: buying a whole chicken and cutting it into pieces yourself, or purchasing pre-cut chicken pieces. Both options have their advantages.

By purchasing a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself, you can include a mix of white and dark meat in your fried chicken platter. Dark meat, which comes from the legs and thighs, has a higher fat content and is less likely to dry out during cooking, resulting in juicier fried chicken. White meat, on the other hand, is leaner and has a milder flavour, making it a versatile choice for various dishes.

If you opt for pre-cut chicken pieces, you can choose from a variety of options such as chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, or a combination of these. Chicken strips or tenders are also a great choice, especially if you're short on time as they cook faster than bone-in pieces. Just be mindful of their cooking time to avoid overcooking and drying them out.

Bone-in or Boneless

Another consideration when choosing your chicken is whether to go for bone-in or boneless meat. Bone-in chicken pieces are generally recommended for air fryer fried chicken as the bones help pull in heat, promoting even cooking. Additionally, bone-in chicken is often skin-on, which helps keep the meat moist during the cooking process.

Skin-on or Skinless

When it comes to fried chicken, choosing skin-on chicken pieces is ideal. The skin adds flavour and helps keep the meat moist, resulting in juicier fried chicken. However, if you prefer to remove the skin before eating, you can do so after cooking.

Fresh or Brined

While fresh chicken can be used for air fryer fried chicken, brining the chicken beforehand is highly recommended. Brining, or marinating, the chicken in buttermilk adds tenderness and infuses flavour. The acids and enzymes in buttermilk break down the proteins in the chicken, making it extra tender. Aim to brine the chicken for at least an hour, but for the best results, leave it overnight.

Quantity

Lastly, consider the quantity of chicken you will need. Air fryers have limited capacity, so you may need to cook the chicken in batches. A good rule of thumb is to allow for 2-3 pieces of chicken per person, depending on their size and the expected side dishes.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need buttermilk, salt, and pepper. You can also add additional spices to the buttermilk, such as garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder, to enhance the flavour of the chicken.

Next, prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels. This step will help ensure that the chicken is not too moist before adding the marinade, which will help the batter stick better during the frying process.

Now, it's time to create the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, pepper, and any additional spices you have chosen. Mix these ingredients well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the buttermilk.

Once the marinade is ready, it's time to add the chicken. Place the chicken pieces into the bowl with the marinade, ensuring that they are fully coated. It is important to let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavours. However, for the best results, you can leave the chicken to marinate for longer. Some recipes recommend marinating the chicken for up to 24 hours, or even overnight, in the refrigerator. This extended marination time will allow the chicken to become even more tender and flavourful.

While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the other ingredients and set up your air fryer. It is important to ensure that your air fryer is preheated and ready to go before you take the chicken out of the marinade.

Once the marination time is complete, remove the chicken pieces from the bowl, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. You can now proceed to coat the chicken with the batter and place it in the air fryer, following the rest of the recipe's instructions.

By following these steps and allowing adequate time for marination, you will end up with delicious, juicy, and flavourful fried chicken cooked to perfection in your air fryer!

Preparing the breading

Once you have your ingredients, the next step is to set up your breading station. You will need three separate dishes: one for the flour mixture, one for the wet mixture (buttermilk, or buttermilk and eggs), and one for the seasoned flour or breading mixture.

For the flour mixture, combine flour with any dry seasonings you are using, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix this together thoroughly.

For the wet mixture, simply whisk together the buttermilk and eggs until well combined.

For the seasoned flour or breading mixture, combine the flour with your chosen breadcrumbs and seasonings. You can also add a small amount of buttermilk to this mixture to create small lumps, which will increase the surface area and add extra crispiness during frying.

Now that your breading station is set up, you can begin the process of breading your chicken. First, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then, using tongs, dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the wet mixture (buttermilk or buttermilk and eggs), and finally, roll it in the seasoned flour or breading mixture, ensuring it is completely coated. Set the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet or wire rack while you bread the remaining pieces.

Once all your chicken pieces are breaded, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and place the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your air fryer, and be sure to flip the chicken pieces and spray them with cooking spray again halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispness.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken!

Air-frying the chicken

Now that you've got your chicken coated in a delicious batter, it's time to air-fry!

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, spray the basket with a non-aerosol cooking spray or brush it with oil to prevent sticking. Then, place the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Spray the chicken pieces lightly with oil.

Set your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Cook the chicken for around 15 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. The chicken is done when it's golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

If you're cooking chicken strips or tenders, check the temperature frequently to ensure they don't overcook. They're done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F to 170°F.

Tips for air-frying success

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Spray the basket with a non-aerosol cooking spray or brush with oil before adding the chicken.
• Leave space between each piece of chicken to allow for proper air circulation.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray with oil again.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Reheating the chicken

Now that you've made your fried chicken in the air fryer, you might be wondering how to reheat it to retain its crispiness. Here's a detailed guide:

Firstly, it is important to note that reheating fried chicken can be tricky as you need to balance keeping the meat moist and ensuring the outer layer stays crunchy. The best option for reheating fried chicken is to use an air fryer as it is quick, easy, and takes less than 10-15 minutes.

To reheat your fried chicken in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F-375°F (182°C-190°C).
• Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not piled on top of each other. Leave space between them for proper airflow. Work in batches if needed.
• Reheat the chicken for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. For larger pieces, reheat for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through so that the chicken reheats evenly on both sides.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is thoroughly cooked and safe to consume.
• If needed, continue reheating for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• When the chicken is heated through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer tray and let it cool for a minute before serving.

Some additional tips for reheating fried chicken:

• Avoid reheating the chicken more than once to minimize the risk of foodborne illness and bacterial contamination.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in small batches if necessary.
• Use a light coating of oil on the chicken before reheating to help restore crispiness, but this is optional.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking or burning, especially with smaller pieces.
• Leftover fried chicken should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly and consumed within 3-4 days.

Frequently asked questions