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Crispy Buttermilk Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Close-up of a golden, crispy air fryer fried chicken breast cut in half showing juicy white meat inside.
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Make the best air fryer fried chicken with this recipe. You get juicy meat and a perfectly golden, crispy coating using buttermilk marinade and your air fryer. This is a healthy fried chicken alternative that tastes like Southern comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in or boneless chicken pieces (thighs or breasts work well)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cooking spray (oil of choice)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours.
  2. In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This is your seasoned coating.
  3. Remove one piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not rinse.
  4. Dredge the chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to make sure it adheres well. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack.
  5. Lightly spray both sides of the coated chicken pieces generously with cooking spray. This helps achieve the golden-brown, crispy finish.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
  7. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Work in batches if necessary.
  8. Air fry for 18 to 25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. Adjust time based on the thickness of the cut. Bone-in pieces will take longer than boneless.
  9. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  10. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, after the first flip, spray the chicken again with cooking spray before continuing to cook.
  • If you are using chicken tenders or smaller cuts, reduce the cooking time to 12 to 15 minutes total.
  • This recipe works well for a KFC style air fryer chicken copycat experience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/air-fryer-fried-chicken/