| |

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Pin This Recipe!

Jump to Recipe

I’m super excited to share with you my latest adventure: making Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken! Yep, you heard it right. I took the classic Southern favorite and gave it a healthy twist by using my trusty air fryer. Get ready to learn how to make crispy, juicy chicken that’ll have your taste buds dancing with joy.

Recipe for Air fryer fried chicken

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s so special about cooking chicken in an air fryer?” Well, let me tell you—it’s all about that perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat without the need for a ton of oil. With easy air fryer chicken recipes like these crispy chicken drumsticks and Southern fried chicken bone-in chicken breast, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to achieve that golden-brown perfection. Plus, since we’re using the air fryer, cleanup is a breeze—no greasy mess to deal with afterward! So, let’s get cooking and discover the magic of air frying together. 🍗✨

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Ingredients for Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

  • 1 whole cut-up chicken
  • 2 cups buttermilk Or Homemade Buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

  • Begin by placing your cut-up chicken pieces (Chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, and Chicken Breast) into a bowl or resealable bag, then pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring they are completely submerged. Allow the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  • When you’re ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring until well mixed.
  • Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off.
  • Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
  • Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil.
  • Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes of air frying chicken carefully flip the chicken over.
  • Continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes or until the air fryer fried chicken is golden brown and crispy.
  • To ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it’s reached this temperature, your delicious air fryer Southern fried chicken is ready to enjoy!
Air Fryer Drumstick crispy

Tips & Tricks

  • Patience with Marination: Don’t rush the marinating process. Allowing the chicken to soak in the buttermilk for 12 to 24 hours helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
  • Even Coating: When coating the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, make sure each piece is evenly coated. This ensures consistent flavor and crispiness.
  • Preheating for Crispiness: Preheating the air fryer helps create a crispy exterior on the chicken. Give it some time to heat up before adding the chicken pieces.
  • Single Layer: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This allows for proper air circulation and ensures even cooking.
  • Light Oil Spritz: Using a light coat of olive oil helps the chicken crisp up nicely. A spritz of oil before cooking ensures a golden-brown exterior without excess greasiness.
  • Check for Doneness: While the recommended cooking time is 20 minutes per side, air fryers can vary. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, ensuring it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
  • Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a spicier chicken, add more cayenne pepper. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of spices.
  • Serve Immediately: Air fryer Southern fried chicken is best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve it immediately for the crispiest texture and juiciest flavor.

FAQs about Air Fryer Chicken

Absolutely! While the traditional recipe calls for bone-in chicken pieces, you can definitely use boneless chicken breasts or thighs. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly as boneless cuts may cook faster.

Yes, if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make homemade Buttermilk with simple directions.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, you can simply turn it on to the desired cooking temperature and let it run for a few minutes before adding your food. This helps to ensure that the air fryer is heated up and ready to cook efficiently.

Yes, you can experiment with different types of flour for coating the chicken. While all-purpose flour is commonly used, you can try whole wheat flour, or a gluten-free flour blend for a different texture and flavor.

Leftover air fryer Southern fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again.

  1. Visual Inspection: Look for visual cues. The chicken should have a golden-brown crust and appear crispy on the outside.
  2. Internal Temperature: The most accurate way to determine if chicken is done is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding bone if present. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius) for safe consumption.
  3. Juices: If you pierce the chicken with a knife or fork, the juices should run clear, not pink. Pink juices indicate that the chicken is undercooked and needs more time to cook thoroughly.
  4. Texture: When fully cooked, the chicken should feel firm to the touch, and the meat should no longer be translucent or rubbery.
SOUTHERN-FRIED-CHICKEN-AIR-FRYER
Frying Chicken in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

The Best Southern Fried Air Fryer Chicken

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

I’m super excited to share with you my latest adventure: making Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken! Yep, you heard it right. I took the classic Southern favorite and gave it a healthy twist by using my trusty air fryer. Get ready to learn how to make crispy, juicy chicken that’ll have your taste buds dancing with joy.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole cut-up chicken
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Begin by placing your cut-up chicken pieces into a bowl or resealable bag, then pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring they are completely submerged. Allow the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring until well mixed.
  4. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off.
  5. Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
  6. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  7. Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil.
  8. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 20 minutes.
  9. After 20 minutes, carefully flip each piece of chicken over.
  10. Continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
  11. To ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it's reached this temperature, your delicious air fryer Southern fried chicken is ready to enjoy!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 736mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: American / Category: Air Fryer

Pin This Recipe!

Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

Similar Posts

3 Comments

  1. WOW! This chicken is begging to be eaten. Looks amazing! I’m definitely saving the recipe for later. I’m planning to make this for our next friend’s gathering. Gonna follow your recipe precisely. Hope I won’t fail. Thank u for sharing this. I’m so inspired! Looking forward to your new ideas. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks - Buffalo Chicken Style - Bake Me Some Sugar
  3. Pingback: Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe - Bake Me Some Sugar

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *