Air-Fried Chicken Perfection: Crispy, Tender, And Healthy!

Air fryers are a great way to make fried chicken that's healthier, quicker, and easier than deep-frying. The air fryer's convection power creates a crispy exterior while keeping the meat moist and juicy. The cleanup is also much easier than dealing with pots of hot oil. While the crust may not get quite as crispy as with traditional frying methods, the convenience and health benefits make air-fried chicken a great option.

Choosing the right chicken

Bone-in vs. Boneless

Most recipes recommend using bone-in chicken pieces such as thighs, drumsticks, or breasts. The bone adds moisture and flavour to the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavourful fried chicken. However, boneless chicken can also be used, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Skin-on vs. Skinless

Using skin-on chicken will result in crispier skin and juicier meat. However, if you want to reduce the fat content, you can remove the skin. One recipe mentions that their testing showed that the fried chicken recipe worked beautifully with the skin on or off. So, it is a matter of preference.

Chicken Breeds

When selecting chicken, look for breeds that are known for their flavour and texture. For example, heritage breeds such as Cornish Game Hens or Red Rangers tend to have more flavourful and tender meat due to their longer growth period and natural diet.

Freshness

Always choose fresh chicken for air frying. Check the "best before" date and ensure the packaging is intact and undamaged. Look for chicken with a fresh, pink colour and avoid any packages with an off-putting odour or discoloured meat.

Size and Weight

Select chicken pieces that are evenly sized, especially if you are using a combination of thighs, drumsticks, and breasts. This will ensure more even cooking and prevent overcooking or undercooking.

Organic or Free-Range

If possible, opt for organic or free-range chicken. These chickens are typically raised in better conditions and fed a natural diet, resulting in more flavourful and nutritious meat.

Marinating

Many air fryer fried chicken recipes call for marinating the chicken in buttermilk before breading and cooking. This step adds flavour and tenderness to the meat. You can also add spices, herbs, or hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade for extra flavour.

Marinating the chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a large bowl, combine buttermilk with spices such as salt, garlic powder, and pepper. You can also add hot sauce to give it a bit of zing. The buttermilk not only adds flavour but also helps the batter adhere better to the chicken.

Step 2: Add the Chicken to the Marinade

Place the chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. You can use a variety of chicken cuts, such as bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs, drumsticks, and/or breasts. For the best results, it is recommended to use bone-in chicken as it adds more flavour and moisture.

Step 3: Let the Chicken Marinate

Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to overnight. The longer it sits, the more tender and flavourful it will be. If you're short on time, even a 10-minute marination will make a difference.

Step 4: Remove the Chicken from the Marinade

Once the desired marination time has passed, remove the chicken pieces from the bowl, shaking off any excess marinade. You can now proceed to coat the chicken with the breading mixture before air-frying it to crispy, juicy perfection!

Remember, the marination step is crucial to infusing flavour into the chicken and ensuring a moist and tender texture. So, don't skip it, and feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs in the marinade to make it your own!

Breading the chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

The first step is to prepare a marinade for your chicken. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk with various spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add hot sauce to give it a bit of zing. Mix the ingredients well. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Let the chicken sit in this mixture for at least 10 minutes to thicken, or for more intense flavour, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Mixture

In a separate shallow bowl or dish, prepare the breading mixture. Combine all-purpose flour with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some cornstarch to thicken the batter. Mix the dry ingredients well, ensuring they are evenly distributed. For an extra crispy texture, you can drizzle a small amount of buttermilk over the flour mixture and toss to create small lumps.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now it's time to coat the chicken with the breading mixture. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid. Using tongs or your hands, dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. Ensure the chicken is evenly and thoroughly coated before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Rest the Coated Chicken

Once all the chicken pieces are coated, transfer them to a clean plate or wire rack to rest while you preheat your air fryer. This step is important as it allows the breading to set and helps ensure a crispy exterior.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick spray or lightly coat it with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the chicken pieces in the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as proper air circulation is crucial for even cooking. It's okay if the chicken pieces touch, but they should not overlap. Lightly spray or brush the chicken with oil to help the breading crisp up during cooking.

Step 7: Air Fry the Chicken

Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for the recommended time, usually around 15-25 minutes, depending on the size and model of your air fryer. For even cooking, consider flipping the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking process and spraying or brushing them with additional oil to ensure even browning.

Step 8: Check for Doneness

To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the juices should run clear when a skewer or knife is inserted into the thickest part of the meat.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender bite. Serve your air-fried chicken with your favourite sides, such as coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese. Enjoy!

Cooking the chicken

• Marinate the chicken: Let the chicken marinate in the buttermilk and hot sauce mixture for 5 to 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, if prepping in advance. You can also add spices and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to thicken.
• Bread the chicken: Combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl or dish. Drizzle a little buttermilk over it and toss to create small lumps in the mixture. Bread each piece of chicken individually, then transfer them to a foil-lined baking sheet to rest.
• Coat with oil: Mist the bottom of the air fryer basket and both sides of the chicken with oil and transfer them to the preheated air fryer. It’s okay if the chicken is touching but the pieces should not overlap.
• Cook: Air fry at 360-390 degrees F for 15-25 minutes. The internal temperature of the fried chicken should reach at least 165 degrees F when checked with an instant-read meat thermometer. Halfway through the cooking time, open the unit and mist any dry spots with a little more oil.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Circulating air is how the air fryer cooks, so ensure there's adequate space for it to do its thing. You'll have undercooked spots if your air fryer is overcrowded. You may need to work in batches.
• Don't skip the cooking oil spray: This is important in creating that crunchy fried chicken. You’ll want to spray the bits of chicken that are still covered in uncooked coating.
• Parchment liners: If you want to eliminate some of the mess from the coating in your air fryer, they now sell air fryer-specific parchment liners that have holes in them.
• Don't forget to flip the chicken: About halfway through the cooking process, flip the chicken and spray the bottom side with oil.
• Check for doneness: Perfectly cooked chicken will be browned and crispy on the outside, but you’ll still need to check it inside. Test by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and make sure it reads 165 degrees F.

Reheating the chicken

Firstly, it is important to note that reheating chicken in an air fryer is a great way to retain moisture and crispiness. It is also quick and easy.

If you are reheating chicken breasts, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For other cuts of chicken, such as chicken wings, thighs, drumsticks, or tenders, preheat your air fryer to 365 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through. If needed, extend the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

If you are reheating a whole chicken, or rotisserie chicken, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes.

It is important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent proper air circulation and crispiness. Additionally, you should only reheat chicken once, as reheating it multiple times will lead to dry chicken.

Frequently asked questions