Air Fryer Fried Chicken has a crispy seasoned coating on the outside with tender, juicy chicken inside. It gives you that classic fried chicken crunch using the air fryer instead of a pot of hot oil.
Fried chicken has always been one of those comfort-food favorites, and making it in the air fryer keeps things much easier in my kitchen. You still get that crispy coating without dealing with all the mess of deep frying.
Why I Love Air Fryer Fried Chicken
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Chicken: Use one whole chicken cut into pieces.
- Buttermilk: Helps keep the chicken tender and gives the coating something to stick to.
- Flour: Creates the crispy coating.
- Garlic Powder & Paprika: Add plenty of savory flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: Gives the chicken a little heat.
- Salt & Pepper: Season the chicken and coating.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or resealable bag and cover completely with buttermilk. Refrigerate for 12–24 hours.
Prepare the Coating: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Combine the flour, garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and let the excess drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture.
Air Fry: Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil. Air fry for 20 minutes, flip, then cook for another 20 minutes.
Check for Doneness: Cook until the coating is golden and crispy and the chicken reaches 165°F internally in the thickest part.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Give It Time to Marinate: Let the chicken soak in the buttermilk for 12–24 hours for tender, flavorful chicken.
- Coat It Well: Press the seasoned flour onto the chicken so you get plenty of crispy coating.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the chicken in a single layer so the hot air can circulate.
- Use a Thermometer: Check the thickest part of each piece and cook until it reaches 165°F.
Questions Readers Ask Most
Can I use different pieces of chicken?
Yes. You can use your favorite bone-in chicken pieces instead of a whole cut-up chicken. Different sizes may finish cooking at different times.
Why is my air fryer fried chicken not crispy?
Make sure the basket isn’t overcrowded and lightly spray any dry flour spots with oil before cooking.
How do I store leftover fried chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to help crisp the coating again.
More Air Fryer Recipes I Love
The Best Southern Fried Air Fryer Chicken
Air Fryer Fried Chicken has a crispy seasoned coating with tender, juicy chicken inside, without the mess of deep frying.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or resealable bag and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate for 12–24 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Combine the flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and allow the excess to drip off.
- Coat each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Air fry for 20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Check each piece with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F internally before serving.
Notes
Chicken pieces can vary in size, so some may finish before others. Check each piece for an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 364Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 2009mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 17g
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!