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Air Fryer Fried Chicken
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Get crispy, golden brown buttermilk fried chicken in your Air Fryer! This quick and easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is tender, juicy, and delicious. If you have a craving and want to skip some fat try it this way.
If you haven’t bought an air fryer yet I think this crispy air fryer crispy chicken will convince you to do it!
Why this recipe works:
- Easier, healthier and just as delicious.
- Crispy skin with juicy meat on the inside!
- No one will guess it isn’t fried.
- No hot oil splattering or extra grease.
Serve it with some corn on the cob and potato salad for a dinner your whole family will love!
Ingredient Tips
For this recipe, you can use a mix of chicken pieces or choose your favorite – I really love making fried legs and thighs. Just be sure to buy bone-in, skin-on chicken!
If you choose to use breasts you might need to add additional cooking time for those because they are larger. Always make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
The chicken is coated in buttermilk which it gives it lots of flavor but it also helps the skin crisp up, tenderizes the meat, and just all around makes it so delicious.
The flour is seasoned with a variety of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt and pepper. So much flavor!
Products Needed
How to Make It
Make the seasoned flour: whisk the flour and seasonings together in a shallow baking dish.
Make the buttermilk mixture: whisk the buttermilk with the eggs, salt and pepper in a seperate shallow baking dish.
Prep the chicken: coat each piece in the flour and then dip it in the buttermilk. Coat in more flour and then place it in the air fryer. Spray it with cooking spray.
Cook it: arrange the pieces in an even layer in the air fryer and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes at 370 degrees. Flip the pieces over, spray them again, and cook for five to ten minutes longer.
The internal temperature needs to reach at least 165 degree F. I prefer my legs at about 185-190 degrees F to make sure you don’t have any bloody spots around the bone. Don’t worry they will still be juicy!
Recipe FAQs!
- How do you know when it’s done? The easiest way to check is with a thermometer. The internal temperature should be at 165 degrees F.
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts? I don’t recommend it because you don’t get the crispy skin!
- Is it healthier to make it in the air fryer? It’s definitely healthier than regular fried chicken! The only oil you need to use for the air fryer is cooking spray. So, you definitely cut down on the fat and calories when you use your air fryer.
- Can I stack the pieces in the air fryer? No, you shouldn’t do that! The pieces need to be in an even layer to cook properly. If you can’t fit all of the pieces cook them in batches. You can keep the cooked ones in a warm oven while you finish the rest.
- Does the air fryer cook the chicken faster than frying? It takes longer to cook it in an air fryer, but it’s less messy and easier to make than frying it. Not to mention healthier!
Side Dish Ideas
Need some side dish inspiration? Here’s what I love to serve with it:
- A cold and creamy salad pairs perfectly like my classic macaroni salad, bacon ranch potato salad or broccoli salad!
- For potlucks serve it with deviled eggs, dill pickle dip or dill dip with potato chips for dunking!
- We also love it with baked beans, bean salad, or Dill Potato Salad.
Try it and love it? Rate it, please! Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day!
If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Chicken pieces coated in a buttermilk batter and seasoning then cooked until crispy and juicy in your Air Fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs skin on chicken legs and thighs
- 2 c. buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Coating
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp seasoned salt
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- Oil for spraying chicken – vegetable canola or olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat chicken dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- In a square baking dish whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper until well combined.
- In another square baking dish, whisk together flour, and seasonings.
- Coat chicken with flour mixture. Then dip in buttermilk mixture and dredge in flour mixture again.
- Spray air fryer basket with oil. Then place chicken basket making sure to leave room around each piece to allow air to flow. Spray chicken with oil.
- Cook at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, then flip chicken and spray with oil again.
- Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Serve immediately
- Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container
Notes
- How do you know when it’s done? The easiest way to check is with a thermometer. The internal temperature should be at 165 degrees F.
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts? I don’t recommend it because you don’t get the crispy skin!
- Is it healthier to make it in the air fryer? It’s definitely healthier than regular fried chicken! The only oil you need to use for the air fryer is cooking spray. So, you definitely cut down on the fat and calories when you use your air fryer.
- Can I stack the pieces in the air fryer? No, you shouldn’t do that! The pieces need to be in an even layer to cook properly. If you can’t fit all of the pieces cook them in batches. You can keep the cooked ones in a warm oven while you finish the rest.
- Does the air fryer cook the chicken faster than frying? It takes longer to cook it in an air fryer, but it’s less messy and easier to make than frying it. Not to mention healthier!
Nutrition
Calories: 792kcalCarbohydrates: 100gProtein: 46gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 235mgSodium: 3225mgPotassium: 702mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 753IUCalcium: 181mgIron: 7mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
I’m sorry but it was ok but certainly not like fried chicken. It was probably something I didn’t do right.
It wasn’t bad it just didn’t taste like fried chicken. I’m sorry, your’s was probably much better than mine!
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it Sara!
Hi, I tried this recipe and must say it’s really good. Everyone enjoyed it and it’s healthier.
So glad to hear it!
Can I bread a day in advance?
Hi Elissa – I haven’t tried that before. You could certainly give it a try but it might be a little less crisp!
Can the buttermilk be substituted with almond milk? My child has a milk allergy.
Hi Shirlane! Thank you for the question. I haven’t tried the recipe with almond milk but you could certainly give it a try and see how it goes. Let me know if you try it!
Can I use other chicken parts such as wings, breasts, and drumsticks and thighs for this recipe?
Yes!
It probably needed more salt and it was a bit more crunchy than I had wanted. It was actually pretty juicy not dry at all!
Glad to hear it!
Is the nutrition info for the whole 2 lbs of chicken? If so, what would you consider a serving size? Thanks!
There are 4 servings in the dish so the serving size would be 1/4 the entire dish.
Is the nutrition info for the whole amount, or per serving?
Per serving
i just loved it👍
Great! Glad you enjoyed it!
Julie,
I am looking for a recipe I saw on ??? site. I believe it was called ” 2 ingredient chicken pot pie.” I am not sure whose site I saw it on, but I have lost the recipe. I am hoping it was at “Julie’s I saw it, Martie.
Hi Martie – I’m not sure if it was mine as my chicken pot pie recipe has more than two ingredients – but here is the link!
https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/easy-chicken-pot-pie-casserole/
This was perfect for dinner! I love that I could make it in my air fryer.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Healthier than frying it…i just loved it👍
Yes! So glad you loved it!