Air Fryer Fried Chicken: Instant Pot Perfection

Making fried chicken in an instant pot air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, juicy chicken without the mess of deep-fat frying. The air fryer's convection power and hot air circulation create an ultra-crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and moist. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make delicious fried chicken in your instant pot air fryer.

Prepare the chicken

For this recipe, you will need 4 chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs, however, they will cook faster so check their internal temperature after 20 minutes.

Trim the chicken of any excess fat. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add 1 cup of buttermilk, making sure all pieces are coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

In a separate bowl, combine the breading ingredients: 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of plain breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick.

Take the chicken out of the fridge and shake off any excess buttermilk from each piece. Then, dip each piece in the breading mixture, making sure it is well coated.

Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 380° F for about 3 minutes.

Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other. Close the air fryer and set the timer for 25 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of each chicken piece—it should be at least 180° F. Cook for a few more minutes if needed.

You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise so that you have 6 long, narrow pieces total. Pound each piece to an even 1/2-inch thickness—this will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.

Make the coating

The coating is key to achieving that crispy, crunchy texture and ensuring the chicken stays juicy inside. Here are the steps to make the coating for your fried chicken in an instant pot air fryer:

Firstly, you will need to prepare the dry ingredients for the coating. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. You can use a pie plate or an 8x8-inch square baking dish for this. The specific seasonings you can use include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also add in some grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavour and crispiness. Mix all these ingredients until they are well combined.

Next, prepare the wet ingredients for the coating. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. You can also add in some hot sauce for an extra kick.

Now it's time to coat the chicken. Start by coating each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then gently shake off any excess. Next, dip the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture, again shaking off any excess. Finally, coat the chicken in the flour mixture a second time. This double-dipping ensures that more of the breading sticks to the chicken.

After the chicken is coated, spray all sides of the chicken pieces with oil spray until no more dry flour is visible. This step is important to ensure the chicken gets crispy.

Cook the chicken

Now that you've prepared your chicken, it's time to cook it!

Cooking the Chicken

The cooking time will depend on the type of chicken you are using. For example, chicken thighs will take longer to cook than chicken breasts. Here are some general guidelines for cooking times:

• Chicken thighs: set the timer for about 25 to 28 minutes and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 180°F.
• Chicken breasts: set the timer for 23 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
• Chicken strips: set the timer for 15 to 17 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pieces. Cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

If you are using an Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, follow these instructions:

• Place the multi-level air fryer basket into your Instant Pot liner.
• Place half of the chicken pieces on the bottom level of the air fryer basket and the other half on the top level.
• Securely place the air fryer lid on top of the Instant Pot.
• Press the air fryer button and change the temperature to 380°F and the timer to 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, flip the chicken on the top rack (there is no need to flip the chicken on the bottom rack) and cook for an additional 7 minutes.
• Check that the internal temperature is 165°F.

If you are using a different type of air fryer, try to arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer without overlapping in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes at 380°F, then flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken pieces should be in a single layer, not stacked on top of each other. Cook in batches if needed.

Additionally, it is recommended to flip the chicken pieces over halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on all sides.

For extra crispy chicken, you can cook the chicken a few minutes past the recommended time. Just be sure to monitor the internal temperature to ensure the chicken doesn't overcook.

Tips for Crispy Chicken

• Add cornstarch to the flour mixture. Cornstarch helps create a crispy coating.
• Double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture: coat the chicken in the seasoned flour and cornstarch, then dip it in buttermilk, and finally coat it in the flour mixture again. This helps more of the breading to stick.
• Spray the chicken with oil spray. This ensures that the batter crisps up during cooking.

Flip the chicken

When it comes to flipping the chicken, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to flip the chicken pieces over halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on all sides. This will help you achieve that desirable crispy texture on both sides of the chicken.

For the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, after placing the chicken in the air fryer basket and securing the air fryer lid, you will press the air fryer button and set the temperature to 380° F and the timer to 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip only the chicken on the top rack and let it cook for an additional 7 minutes.

For other types of air fryers, the process is similar. After arranging the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, you will air fry at a certain temperature for a set amount of time, and then flip the chicken and cook for a few more minutes. For example, you might air fry at 370° F for 15 minutes, and then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 8-15 minutes.

It is important to note that different air fryer models may vary in terms of cooking time and temperature, so adjustments may be necessary. Additionally, for certain air fryers, there is no need to preheat, but you can simply add a few minutes to the cooking time.

When flipping the chicken, it is recommended to handle the chicken gently to avoid the batter falling off. Also, make sure to spray the chicken with an oil spray before flipping to ensure a crispy texture.

Serve with sides

There are plenty of side dishes that go well with fried chicken made in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

• Classic Side Dishes: Biscuits, Drop Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad, and Cornbread.
• Instant Pot Sides: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Instant Pot Baked Beans, and Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
• Healthy Side Dishes: Corn Salad, Quinoa Salad, Green Salad, Kale Salad, and Sautéed Green Beans.
• Roasted Vegetables: Take advantage of your free oven and make a batch of roasted vegetables such as Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Broccoli.
• Sautéed Veggies: If you don't want to turn on the oven, you can sauté vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, or carrots.
• Slaw: Healthy Coleslaw or Asian Cabbage Slaw would be great options.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve with a side of Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip or Barbecue Sauce.
• Condiments: Pickled Onions are especially yummy paired with all-American classics like fried chicken.
• Macaroni and Cheese: Try the Ultimate Creamy Mac & Cheese—it's sure to be a hit!
• Potatoes: Air fryer chicken and potatoes are a classic pairing. Try Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Crock Pot Baked Potatoes.

Frequently asked questions