Craving deliciously crispy chicken without the guilt? Look no further than the mouthwatering world of air fryer fried chicken. This innovative cooking method allows you to enjoy the golden, crunchy texture of fried chicken while significantly reducing the amount of oil intake. Whether you’re aiming for a healthier lifestyle or simply looking for a new culinary adventure, air fryer fried chicken is the perfect solution!

air fried chicken

Air fryer fried chicken offers a multitude of benefits beyond its healthier cooking approach. With air frying, you can achieve a satisfyingly crispy exterior while retaining the juicy tenderness of the meat. Additionally, this cooking technique reduces the greasy mess and lingering odors associated with traditional frying, making clean-up a breeze. The versatility of air fryer fried chicken is also worth noting. From classic breaded varieties to flavorful marinades and spice rubs, the possibilities are endless. Whether you prefer wings, drumsticks, or chicken breast, air frying allows you to experiment and customize your chicken creations to suit your taste buds.

how to make air fryer fried chicken

INGREDIENTS :

buttermilk brine :

  • chicken, 4 legs & 4 thighs 
  • 3 C buttermilk 
  • 1 t cayenne 
  • 1 t paprika 
  • 2 t garlic powder 
  • salt & pepper, to taste
ingredients for air fryer fried chicken

fried chicken :

  • 2 C flour 
  • 5 t paprika 
  • 1 t cayenne 
  • 1 t chili powder 
  • 1 t garlic powder 
  • 1 t oregano 
  • ½ t sugar 
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 eggs, room temp 
  • 2 T water 
  • non-stick cooking spray 
  • hot honey, optional for garnish 
  • parsley, optional for garnish
air fryer fried chicken

METHOD

In a large bowl, mix all of your buttermilk brine ingredients together. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Using a skewer or fork, poke holes in your chicken. Then add your chicken into the bowl, cover, and place in the fridge overnight, or preferably 24 hours. The longer you let the chicken marinate, the more flavorful this dish will be!

The following day … In a large bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together eggs and water. 

Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and dip a single piece into the egg mixture, followed by the flour mixture. Place each piece of chicken onto a cooling rack for around ten minutes. Then dip each piece of chicken back into the flour mixture. 

Line the air fryer basket with foil. Next, spray the lined basket with cooking spray prior to placing four pieces of chicken in the air fryer. Cook the chicken for around 20 – 25 minutes at 390 degrees. Halfway through, flip the chicken and give it another spray. Repeat this process for the remaining four pieces of chicken. Garnish the chicken with parsley and hot honey. We like to use Mike’s Hot Honey, and it is so good!

Buon Appetito!

Notes

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase using our link. We love all of these products, and hope you will too!

A lot of times we will get questions on which air fryer we use. We have only had one, and it is the Cuisinart TOA-26 Compact Airfryer Toaster Oven. It’s relatively affordable and it’s extremely simple to use. No fancy buttons or confusing instructions, and it makes fantastic air fryer fried chicken!

Suggested Pairing

Try pairing this savory dish with a refreshing citrus rose sangria! It’s simple, and you can prepare it ahead of time so that you can focus on delivering some exceptional fried chicken!

air fryer fried chicken

Bites

Hi there, 
We are Elise and Evan and we're so glad you are here! Cheffing up tasty bites and sips is our love language and we are very happy to share these recipes with you. We both have valuable restaurant experience and have learned a thing or two about making tasty bites and sips. Through Carnelian Cooks we are sharing all of our tips and tricks! Please provide a comment or feedback below on any recipes that you give a try. 

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