If you’re a fried chicken fan (and who isn’t?), this Air Fryer Fried Chicken is about to blow your mind. Think golden, crispy, juicy perfection without the mess or calories of deep frying. This chicken is naked but really crunchy and loaded with flavor, making it perfect for those who want all the taste without the breading. Let’s dive into this crispy chicken magic!
Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Healthier Alternative: Enjoy all the crispy goodness of fried chicken without the excessive oil.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Great for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Variations You Can Try
- Serving Suggestions
- Pairings and Related Recipes
- FAQ: Common Questions
- More Common Questions
- Storage and Reheating
- Nutritional Information
- Kitchen Essentials and Items Used in This Recipe:
- Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 to 3 pounds of chicken pieces of your choice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp baking powder
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Salt and pepper chicken pieces to taste. Cover the chicken with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder. The baking powder is essential for making the chicken super crispy as it pulls moisture from the skin. Once the chicken is coated with the spices and baking powder, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer
Spray your air fryer basket with an olive or avocado oil mist, or wipe it with a paper towel with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Arrange the Chicken
Place all chicken parts into the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the chicken with an olive or avocado oil mist. You can also use cooking spray if needed. Spraying the chicken is a crucial part of the process to get it nice, golden, and crispy.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Set your air fryer to 390°F and cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through and spray it again with the oil mist or cooking spray after flipping.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your crispy and flavorful air fryer fried chicken!
Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Use Baking Powder: This step is crucial for crispy skin. I recommend using baking powder with no aluminum for the best flavor. This type of baking powder is widely available in most stores, including Whole Foods. I’ll include a link in my items used section at the bottom of this post.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air needs to circulate for even cooking.
- Flip and Spray: Flipping and spraying the chicken halfway through ensures even browning and crispiness.
Variations You Can Try
- Spicy: Add extra cayenne or hot sauce to the seasoning blend.
- Herbed: Mix dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano into the spices.
- Low-Carb/Keto: Skip the baking powder and coat the chicken with a mix of crushed pork rinds and seasonings.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Try it with Frozen Air Fryer French Fries for a classic comfort food combo.
- Add a fresh salad with vinaigrette for a lighter option.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or hot sauce.
- For a Southern-inspired meal, pair with homemade biscuits or cornbread.
Pairings and Related Recipes
FAQ: Common Questions
Air fryer fried chicken cooks in about 25 to 30 minutes at 390°F. Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through for even crispiness.
Set your air fryer to 390°F for the perfect crispy and juicy fried chicken.
Yes! Increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Preheating ensures even cooking and crispiness. Most air fryers heat up quickly, so it’s worth the extra step.
Make sure to pat the chicken dry, use baking powder, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
More Common Questions
To crisp fried chicken in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes. This method works well for leftover fried chicken that has lost its crunch.
Yes, you can use breading in an air fryer. However, it’s best to use a light coating and spray it with oil to ensure the breading crisps up instead of becoming soggy.
Absolutely! Floured chicken works well in an air fryer. Make sure to spray the flour coating with oil before cooking to create a crispy crust.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. This method keeps the chicken crispy and delicious.
Absolutely! Air-fried chicken uses minimal oil, making it a lighter alternative to traditional frying.
Baking powder is crucial for achieving crispy skin, but you can skip it if necessary. The chicken will still be flavorful but less crispy.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F and reheat the chicken for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. This method keeps the chicken crispy and delicious.
Nutritional Information
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 320mg
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a game-changer for crispy, flavorful chicken without the mess of deep frying. Whether you’re a beginner or an air fryer pro, this recipe is easy to follow and delivers amazing results every time. Let me know how it turns out for you in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out my Top 10 Air Fryer Tips Every Beginner Should Know for more air fryer inspiration. Happy cooking! Don’t forget to mention me at @StuffMattyCooks or use the hashtag #StuffMattyCooks to share your creations!
Kitchen Essentials and Items Used in This Recipe:
Cosori Air Fryer Max 6 Quart Air Fryer
Hotec Premium Stainless Steel Locking Kitchen Tongs with Silicone Tips
Misto Frosted Glass Bottle Oil Sprayer
365 Everyday Value, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Mediterranean Blend
Magnetic Cheat Sheet Cookbook for Air Fryer, Cooking Times
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds chicken pieces of your choice
- Salt and pepper chicken to taste
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
Instructions
- Salt and pepper chicken pieces to taste.
- Cover chicken with the garlic powder and smoked paprika and baking powder. The baking powder is essential to making the chicken super crispy as it pulls moisture from the skin. Once the chicken is coated with the spices and the baking powder let it sit about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Spray your air fryer basket with and olive oil mist Or wipe with a paper towel with a little bit of oil on it to prevent sticking. Put all chicken parts into your air fryer trying not to overlap them. I like to spray the chicken with an olive oil mist but you can use cooking spray if that’s all you have. You must sprayed the chicken with the oil or cooking spray it is part of the process to get the chicken nice and golden crispy.
- Turn on your air fryer and set temperature to 390° for 25 to 30 minutes flipping the chicken ones halfway through and spraying the chicken again with the olive oil missed or cooking spray once you flip it. That’s all.
- Enjoy
