Easy, Crispy Air-Fried Chicken: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic dish with less oil and mess. This method of cooking fried chicken is healthier and more time-efficient than traditional deep frying, and it still results in juicy meat with a crispy crust. The process is simple: coat your chicken pieces in a seasoned flour mixture, spray with oil, and air fry until cooked through. You can use a variety of seasonings and spices to suit your taste, and the chicken can be served hot or cold.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

When it comes to choosing the type of chicken, bone-in and skin-on chicken pieces are generally recommended for air frying. This includes a combination of thighs, drumsticks, and/or breasts. The bone-in option adds moisture and flavour to the meat, while the skin helps create a crispy crust. However, you can also use skinless chicken if you prefer, as the buttermilk and flour mixture will still adhere well.

Quantity

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the quantity of chicken you use. It's important to ensure that the chicken pieces are not overcrowded in the air fryer, as this can affect cooking and crispiness. If needed, cook the chicken in batches to allow for proper air circulation.

Marinade

To enhance the flavour and tenderness of your fried chicken, it is recommended to marinate the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and spices. You can also add hot sauce to the marinade for a bit of extra zing. The chicken can be marinated for as little as 10 minutes or up to 24 hours in advance, depending on your preference and preparation time.

Breading

The breading or coating for the chicken typically consists of flour, with some recipes suggesting the addition of spices or seasonings like Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the spices to your taste preferences. It's important to ensure that the chicken is well coated with the breading mixture before placing it in the air fryer.

Oil

While air frying requires minimal oil compared to traditional deep frying, it is still important to use a light coating of oil on the chicken and the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Olive oil or olive oil spray is a popular choice, but you can also use vegetable or canola oil. Avoid using aerosol non-stick cooking sprays, as these can damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, prepare the marinade by combining buttermilk with salt and pepper in a large bowl. You can also add other spices and ingredients like garlic powder, hot sauce, or paprika for extra flavour. It's important to season the chicken generously.

Next, add the chicken pieces to the bowl, ensuring they are fully covered by the buttermilk mixture. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 10 minutes to thicken the mixture and up to an hour for the best results. If you have the time, you can even leave it overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavour penetration. The buttermilk will not only enhance the taste but also help the batter adhere better to the chicken.

After the chicken has finished marinating, remove the pieces from the bowl, shaking off any excess buttermilk. You can now proceed to coat the chicken with the breading mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated.

For best results, it's recommended to pat the chicken dry before adding the marinade and breading. This will ensure the chicken is extra crispy and juicy. Additionally, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking. If needed, cook the chicken in batches to allow for proper air circulation.

Coating the chicken

The coating is a crucial step in achieving that mouth-watering, crispy fried chicken texture and flavour. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to coating your chicken to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Before coating, it is recommended to trim any excess fat from the chicken pieces and season both sides with salt and pepper to taste. You can use either skin-on or skinless chicken, but skin-on chicken will give you that extra crispy crust. If you're using skin-on chicken, pat it dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and juiciness.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper. You can also add hot sauce to the marinade for a bit of zing. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes to thicken, or for even better results, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This step will make your chicken incredibly tender and flavourful.

Step 3: Prepare the Breading Mixture

In a separate shallow bowl or dish, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can use Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or any other spices you prefer. Mix well with a fork to ensure the flour is evenly seasoned. For an extra crispy coating, you can also add a little buttermilk to the flour mixture and toss to create small lumps.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Now it's time to coat your chicken! Using tongs, remove a piece of chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid. Quickly dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Repeat this step for each piece of chicken. If you have time, let the coated chicken rest on a wire rack or baking sheet for about 10 minutes to allow the coating to adhere firmly.

Step 5: Spray the Chicken

Generously spray the coated chicken pieces with cooking spray or olive oil. This step is crucial, as it will help the chicken achieve that golden, crispy texture. Make sure to coat all areas of the chicken evenly to avoid any dry, floury spots.

Step 6: Air Fry the Chicken

Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Air fry at a temperature between 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. For even cooking, flip the chicken halfway through and spray again with cooking spray. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember, these instructions are just a guide, and you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through.

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken is marinated and coated, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. You may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray or olive oil spray. This will help to ensure a crispy, golden crust.

Air fry the chicken at 360°F for 15-20 minutes. For even cooking and to ensure a crispy crust, flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time and spray the other side with cooking spray. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

To check if the chicken is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. You can also check by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken to make sure it is no longer pink.

If you are cooking a larger batch of chicken or using a different type of cut, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces will take longer to cook than boneless, skinless pieces. Always ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly before serving.

Reheating the chicken

Firstly, it is not recommended to reheat your chicken in the air fryer as it may burn the exterior. Instead, use a conventional oven to reheat your chicken. Preheat your oven to 300°F (around 150°C). Place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake them until they are warmed through. This method will help keep the crust crispy and heat the chicken evenly. Aim for around 8 to 10 minutes in the oven.

Alternatively, you can use your air fryer to reheat the chicken if you're short on time. Set your air fryer to 375°F (around 190°C) and place the chicken pieces directly in the air fryer basket. Reheat for about 5 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until hot and crispy.

If you're reheating a larger batch of chicken, it's best to use the oven method to ensure even heating. You can also cover the chicken with foil and bake for a longer period, removing the foil towards the end to regain the crispy texture.

Remember, the key to maintaining the quality of your fried chicken is to ensure it is stored correctly and reheated to the right temperature. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy air fryer chicken!

Frequently asked questions