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The Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Buttermilk Method)

Close-up of several pieces of golden brown, crispy air fryer fried chicken served on a white plate.
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Make guilt-free fried chicken with this air fryer recipe. You get a perfectly golden, crunchy exterior and juicy meat using a simple buttermilk marinade and less oil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work best)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon oil for brushing

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the buttermilk. Mix to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours for best results.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This is your best air fryer chicken coating.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not wipe it dry. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to adhere well.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  5. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  6. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil for extra browning.
  7. Air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. For extra crispy air fryer fried chicken, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 3 minutes.
  8. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
  9. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving your healthy fried chicken alternative.

Notes

  • For the juiciest air fryer chicken, ensure you do not skip the buttermilk marinade step.
  • If you are cooking chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time slightly, checking for doneness around 18 minutes.
  • To achieve that golden brown air fryer chicken look, make sure you spray the coating lightly with oil before the first cooking cycle.

Nutrition

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